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No. 2. 


February 2ist, 1891. 


Price, 25 Cents. 


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Rollo of Normandy 

By Sylvanus Cobb, Jr., 

Author of “The Outcast of Milan “The 
Gunmaker of Moscow,” etc. 


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Parted By Fate; 

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ROLLO.OF NORMANDY 


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ROLLO 

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OF NORMANDY 


A NOVEL 


BY 



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Sylvanus Cobb, Jr., 


• I 


Author of The Gunmaker of Moscow f Outcast of 

\ Milan f etc» 


- \ 

% 

' ..„.VV 

NEW YORK: 

ROBERT BONNER^S SONS, 

PUBLISHERS. 






THE POPULAR SERIES : ISSUED SEMI-MONTHLY. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE, SIX DOLLARS PER ANNUM. NO. 2. 
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By ROBERT BONNER’S SONS. 


{All rights reserved.) 


PRESS OP 

THE NEW YORK LEDGER, 
NEW YORK, 



ROLLO OF NORMANDY. 


CHAPTER I. 

CLOTILDA — A MYSTERY. 

Upon one of the most romantic sections of the 
Norman coast, not far from the mouth of the river 
Seine, there lived and reigned, near the middle of 
the tenth century, a mighty Sea-King named Thor- 
stein. The capital of his realm was called Warvalla 
and the place of his habitation was a stout, rude 
castle, which had been commenced by his father, 
and completed by himself. Of all the wild and dar- 
ing sons of Odin, who had spread terror and dismay 
through northern Europe, none had been more suc- 
cessful than had been Thorstein. And now, having 
acquired what might serve him for a kingdom, he 
sought to strengthen himself in his position, so that 
his crown should pass down through a line of kings 
of his own blood. Warvalla had grown to be a large 


8 


Rollo of Normandy. 


town, and a wealthy one; for the stout followers 
of the Sea-King, who had reared their habitations 
within sight of his castle walls, had not returned 
bootless from their many war-like excursions. It 
was a pleasant town, and a prosperous one ; for 
these same bold warriors, when the note of their 
chieftain did not call them to arms, were not back- 
ward in cultivating the rich soil upon which they 
had found a home. They worshiped Odin and 
Thor, and were content to rest their faith in the 
revelations and prophecies of their priests and far- 
seers. 

Warvalla looked out upon the waters of a beauti- 
ful bay, the shore of which was broken, here and 
there, by rocky crags. The king’s castle was upon 
an eminence, most of the town lying to the south 
and west of it. North from the castle stretched a 
broad headland, covered, for the most part, with 
great trees, where the soil was so rocky that but lit- 
tle cultivation had been done. But the state of the 
soil was not the only reason why this part of the 
forest had been left standing. This headland, 
extending up as it did, north and east from the 
town, with its barrier of forest trees, served to break 
the terrific gales which sometimes came sweeping 
down through the Dover Strait from the Northern 
Ocean. Two paths led from the main part of the 
town to the extremity of this headland; one follow- 
ing the sea-shore, while the other wound through 
the wood. At the distance of half a league from the 
castle these two paths came very near together; and 
here, in a quiet vale, where flowers grew luxuriantly 


Clotilda— A Mystery, 


9 


and where a gentle stream went dancing down to 
the sea, stood the dwelling of Hildegunna. It was a 
plain, simple structure; but with its garb of flower- 
ing vines, and with its delightful surroundings, it 
seemed like a fairy haunt. 

Hildegunna, near the close of day, sat in her cot, 
with her distaff in her hand, spinning flax. She 
was a widow, and had seen the suns and storms of 
three-score years. Her garb was a simple robe of 
fine wool drawn at the neck with a cord, and secured 
about the waist by a linen sash, sweeping, as she sat, 
low down over her feet, but leaving her arms bare. 
Kodran, her husband, had been dead six years. He 
had been one of the mightiest in war; one of the 
wisest in council; and one of the noblest in friend- 
ship; and his memory was cherished by the people 
of Warvalla with deepest reverence. And they loved 
his widow, too; and when opportunity offered they 
were eager to testify to her of their kind regards. 

Hildegunna’s spindle did not move as briskly as 
was its wont, and ere long it was suffered to rest 
upon the floor where it had fallen. The widow was 
thoughtful and uneasy, and as her chin gradually 
sank upon her bosom she murmured her troublous 
thoughts to herself. But she was not suffered to 
remain thus a great while. Presently the door was 
opened, and a companion was with her. 

‘‘Ah — how now, mother ? Where is your spindle 'i 
Mercy ! is that a cloud upon your brow ? You 
should not work so late. Do you know how beauti- 
ful it is without ?’* 

“Yes, Clotilda.** 


lO 


Rollo of Nor^nandy. 


“Then why had you tlie door shut ?" 

“I closed it against the hunter’s dogs — that was 
all ; and I have been spinning to keep myself com- 
pany.” 

As Hildegunna thus spoke she picked up her spin- 
dle, and then raised her head to receive her daughter’s 
kiss. 

A fair and beautiful maiden was Clotilda, the 
daughter of Hildegunna — the fairest in Warvalla, 
without dispute. She had seen the suns of nineteen 
years, and only the brightest touches of time had 
been left upon her face. Her hair was of a golden 
brown, and her eyes of that liquid blue which reflects 
the deepest star-depths of heaven. In form she was 
light and perfect, and her motions were all grace and 
buoyancy. Her garb was simple, and much like her 
mother’s, save that her sash was of crimson silk, and 
the skirts of her robe shorter and narrower. 

The evening meal consisted of bread and goat’s 
milk, and when this had been eaten, and the dishes 
removed, Hildegunna once more sank into her 
thoughtful mood. 

“What troubles you, my mother ?” asked Clotilda, 
arising from her stool, and standing by her parent’s 
side. 

“I shall hide nothing from my child,” returned the 
widow, “ for I know that she is entitled to all my con- 
fidence. I am troubled, Clotilda — deeply troubled. 
Yesterday, as the sun was sinking into its bed of 
waters, the king rode by our cot. His bow-string 
was loose, and his spear was at rest ; and yet he did 
not stop. To-day he passed me again ; I sat at my 


Clotilda — A Mystery. 1 1 


door, with my distaff in my hand, and he moved on 
without even raising his eye to give me greeting. 
What does it mean ? I cannot understand it. He 
has always borne himself towards me like a brother. 
My noble husband was Thorstein’s chief support 
when stout arms and dauntless souls were necessary 
to his success ; and why should he now pass coldly 
by brave Kodran's widow T' 

‘Wou are too suspicious, my mother. Thorstein 
would not intentionally slight you. His mind may 
have been engaged at the time.’* 

“Aye, my child,— his mind must have been engaged; 
and that, too, with thoughts against our house.” 

“No, no,” cried Clotilda. “It cannot be that the 
king holds thoughts like that.” 

“Ah, sweet daughter, you do not know the fierce 
Sea-King. You have only seen him when his brow 
has been smooth and calm ; you have only seen him 
when victory sat upon his banners. You never saw 
him when he was in trouble. The dearest friend 
that Thorstein ever had he would sacrifice if such 
friend stood in the path of his ambition.” 

“But, mother,” said the maiden, with a show of 
incredulity, “you have always represented our king 
in a very different light from that.” 

“ Because, my child, I never before had occasion 
to allude to this side of his character. Thorstein is 
a noble friend, and a generous one ; but he is 
ambitious. He would be a powerful monarch. If 
a path were open to him, leading to a mightier 
throne, and in that path, blocking up his way, stood 


12 


Rollo of Normandy, 


his whole houseliold, he would sweep away every 
obstacle. Such is Thorstein.'’ 

Then you think that he is so elevated by ambi- 
tious projects that he deigns no more to notice the 
poor widow of Kodran ?’* 

“ No, no, Clotilda. Such is not Thorstein’s 
character. The humblest subject in his realm is not 
beneath his notice and care. You do not under- 
stand me.'’ 

Clotilda, yet unable to comprehend the drift of 
her mother’s meaning, was upon the point of asking 
further explanation, when she was interrupted by 
the opening of the door. The new-comer was Olaf, 
a swineherd, and a servant of Hildegunna. He was 
of middle age, tall and muscular, with hard, heavy 
limbs, and bearing a face of extreme good-nature, 
with a fair show of intelligence. He had been 
brought from Jutland by Kodran, when a mere child, 
and had ever since been a bondman in the house- 
hold. His mistress had been always kind to him, 
and he, in return, was devoted to her, even with his 
life. His dress was about as simple as dress could 
be. A swathing of coarse linen girded his loins and 
hips, while from his waist hung a skirt of dressed 
deerskin, which reached halfway to the bare knees. 
His broad, swart bosom, with its ridges and cor- 
rugations of cord and muscle, was all exposed, and 
the sunshines and storms of long years had tough- 
ened the skin till it seemed to possess a leathern 
hardness. 

‘‘How now, Olaf ?” said Hildegunna. 

“All is right for thy might, my mistress, and I 


Clotilda — A Mystery. 


13 


would, like to visit the town/' returned the swine- 
herd. It is not often that I ask you." 

‘‘ True, Olaf. You are a faithful servant, and I 
will deny you no reasonable indulgence. You may 

And yet another comer. 

Hardly had Olaf closed the door behind him when 
the widow and her daughter were interrupted again. 
This time it was a young man who entered. He 
was not more than two-and-twenty, and the rich 
flush upon his cheek told that his blood was warm 
and pure. His shirt was of finest linen, his sash of 
silk worked with gold, and over his shoulders he 
wore a short cloak of fine purple wool. Upon his 
head was a broad, flat-topped cap or bonnet, 
ornamented with a single eagle feather, from beneath 
which escaped a mass of short raven curls, cluster- 
ing like vine-fruit about his neck and temples. 

Such was Rollo, the only son of Thorstein the Sea- 
king, acknowledged by all who knew him to be the 
fairest prince of Normandy. 

What did he at the widow’s cot ? 

Ah, the warm, glad flush upon the maiden’s cheek, 
and the quick light that dances in her eye, tells the 
story. He has come, as he has come since boyhood, 
to the home of his beloved. He gives his hand to 
her who has long possessed his heart, and when he 
speaks, his voice is as soft and sweet as the note of 
the evening zephyr. And the maiden, when- she 
replies, gives out her whole soul in confiding love. 

It shall not be long, love, ere another home shall 
be thine,’’ said the prince, as he sat by Clotilda’s 


Rollo of Noj'mandy. 


H 


side, and held one of her hands in his loving embrace. 
‘‘When thou art my wife, this cold earth shall be a 
heaven for us, and we will not envy the gods the 
places they enjoy.'" 

“Sweet Rollo,*' murmured the maiden, gazing 
fondly up into his face, “ when thou wilt I am 
thine. My mother will not hold back her consent." 

“ And my father," added the prince, “ shall very 
soon bless our union." 

A cloud passed over the face of Hildegunna. 

“ The king, thy father, hath forgotten the widow 
of Kodran," she said. 

“ How, good mother ?" demanded Rollo. “ My 
father forgotten thee ? — forgotten the mother of my 
love ! What mean you ?" 

“ Twice hath he passed my cot — once yesterday 
and once to-day — without stopping to give me greet- 
ing — without even lifting the light of his countenance 
upon me. He never did it before." 

“ Blame not my father too much, good mother." 

“ I do not blame him. I only fear that his love for 
me hath received a check." 

“ Do not allow such a fear to gain possession of 
thee. My father may be troubled. Some affair of 
state may rest heavily upon him. I met him this 
morning, and he turned from me as quickly as pos- 
sible. Some plan of conquest may occupy his 
thoughts." 

Hildegunna would not press her fears upon the 
lovers, so she professed to think no more of the 
matter. But Clotilda was not to be deceived. She 
knew that her mother was still uneasy, and when 


Clotilda — A Mystery . , 


15 


the prince had gone she referred again to the 
subject. 

“ Say no more — say no more,” replied Hildegunna. 
will see how the king behaves the next time 
he passes our cot.” 

The maiden seemed desirous of asking more ques- 
tions ; but as her mother thus urged her, she 
desisted, and in a little while afterwards they retired 
to their beds. 

Hildegunna slept in a small room built out from 
the main house, while Clotilda's apartment was in 
the rear corner upon the opposite side. There were 
two other sleeping apartments on the premises, one 
in the front corner, on the same side with Clotilda's, 
which was little used, and one beneath a porch in 
the extreme rear, where Olaf slept. In Clotilda's 
room there was one window, looking out upon a 
cultivated garden, about which clustered a heavy 
growth of vines, and as the weather was now warm, 
the shutter was left open, for there were no strag- 
glers in that neighborhood, and thieves were not 
known in Warvalla. 

When the maiden retired to her apartment, she did 
not at once seek her bed, but sat up to think about 
the strange fit of uneasiness that had come over her 
mother. In truth, Clotilda herself began to wonder 
if there might not be something in it. But she 
could not see what. To her Thorstein had ever been 
as a kind father. He had kissed and fondled her 
when she was a child, and since she had opened into 
womanhood he had treated her a little more consider- 
ately, but not the less affectionately. 


i6 


Rollo of Normandy, 


“It is all my mother’s imagination,” she said to 
herself, and then she went to bed. 

Clotilda slept, and as she slept she dreamed, but 
her dreams were not so pleasant as her dreams 
usually were. Perhaps the speech of her mother 
caused her to dream these bad dreams. Once she 
woke up, and when she found that she was safe in 
her own chamber, she thanked heaven that she had 
only been dreaming. At a later hour she awoke 
again. Was it a dream this time, or was it some- 
thing else ? She sat up and listened. Either it was 
a dream, or the sighing of the night-wind through 
the vines at her window had disturbed her. So she 
thought, and then once more reclined upon her 
pillow. 

Hark! 

That is no dream, nor is it the voice of the night- 
wind. 

The maiden started up and looked towards the 
window, and she was sure that she saw the head of 
a man among the vines. As she was upon the point 
of crying out for help, the thought occurred to her 
that she might be mistaken. She had been started 
from her sleep twice before, and this might be only 
a phantom of her own imagination. She raised her 
hand above her eyes, and gazed more carefully upon 
the object. It was surely the head of a man, but 
before she could leap from her bed and reach the 
door, the intruder, at one cat-like bound, had reached 
her side, and the firm pressure of his hand upon her 
mouth prevented her from crying out. He alone, 
however, could not have conquered the girl without 


Clotilda — A Mystery. 


17 


depriving her of sense, and when he found that he 
must soon give up his hold upon her mouth if he 
did not have help, he turned to the window and 
gave a low, sharp whistle, which signal quickly 
brought another man to his assistance. 

And now Clotilda was entirely overpowered. 
What could she do in the hands of two stout men ? 
Quickly they gagged her, and bound her hands, and 
then bore her out through the window ; and when 
they had spoken a few words together, they led her 
away by the path that ran through the deep wood. 
At some distance from the cot they stopped, and 
waited as though they were expecting some one else 
to join them. 

It was so dark there in the wood that the maiden 
could distinguish no feature of the ruffians ; but 
when she had been first brought from the cot she 
thought she recognized him who had come first into 
her apartment to be a stranger who had been for 
some days lurking about that section of the head- 
land. At any rate, she was sure that she had seen 
him once or twice near her cot ; and she was further- 
more sure that he was not a known citizen or bond- 
man of Warvalla. 

Easy, lady. Don’t fret. Take care of yourself.” 

She looked up ; but she could speak no word, nor 
could she raise her hands. 

Keep quiet, fair lady, and we’ll move on pretty 
soon.” 

Yes, — they were waiting for a third party, as their 
words, spoken to each other, plainly expressed. 


i8 


Rollo of Normandy. 


‘‘ Ha — he comes !” And then the villains lifted 
the maiden to her feet again. 

With an effort, such as only the awful terror of 
that moment could have called forth from the 
strength of the frail girl, she broke the bond upon 
her arm, and tore the gag from her mouth, and on 
the next instant the forest echoes were startled from 
their rest by her notes of alarm. 

In a moment more the fall of heavy feet sounded 
close at hand, and a loud, bold voice demanded : 

‘‘ Who calls for help ?’* 

By the death !*' cried one of the ruffians, it is 
not our man !’* 

Who calls for help T 

Surely Clotilda knew that voice. 

‘‘ Olaf 1 Olaf !— O, help ! help 

It was Olaf, just returning from his visit ; and as 
he heard his name thus called, and recognized the 
voice of his young mistress, he leaped forward and 
smote the two ruffians to the earth. He had no 
weapon save his fist, or he might have killed the 
rascals where they stood. 

Olaf — is it you ?” 

Yes, yes, my lady. Have no more fear. Are 
you hurt T* 

‘‘ No — O, no. But — save me.’' 

By the gods, sweet lady, they must first kill 
Olaf who would harm thee now. Ha !” 

“ Don’t leave me.” 

** But the dogs are off.” 

You may not overtake them ; and if you leave 


Clotilda — A Mystery . 


19 


me, I may be found by those for whom these villains 
were waiting.*' 

The temptation was strong upon the stout swine- 
herd to give chase to the fleeing villains ; but the 
wish of his mistress was not to be disregarded, so 
he suffered them to escape. 

When the maiden reached the cot, she found her 
mother just ready to start out in search. 

“ I know not what caused me to go to your room,’* 
explained Hildegunna. I awoke, as from a dream, 
and my impulse was to seek you. I went to your 
apartment, and found you gone, and when I saw 
how the vines were broken down at your window, a 
terrible fear came upon me.** 

When Clotilda had told her story, there was much 
to wonder at. Hildegunna could not fathom the 
mystery, nor could she even turn a suspicion into 
any probable channel. Olaf was equally in the dark. 
It was all wonderful to him. The maiden could 
propose questions, but she could answer nothing. 
She could only resolve that Rollo should know of 
the matter on the morrow ; and she hoped that he 
might find the ruffians. In the meantime she retired 
with her mother, caring not to trust herself alone 
again ; while Olaf, with his bow and spear by his 
side, made his bed near their door. 



CHAPTER II. 

THE FAR-SEER’s PROPHECY. 

In a large, vaulted apartment, the masonry of 
which displayed the handiwork of educated crafts- 
men, stood Thorstein the Sea-king. He was power- 
ful of frame, and of commanding presence ; and 
though the rough experience of a hundred battles 
had given to his broad face a look of tiger-like 
ferocity, yet he was far from being by nature cruel. 
He was stern and relentless ; a true son of Odin ; 
superstitious enough to put faith in the oracles of 
the priest ; and wise enough to govern the daring 
spirits that came under his rule. It was early morn- 
ing as he walked to and fro in that castle chamber, 
and the method of his step plainly showed that 
something unusual occupied his thoughts. Finally 
he stopped near a door, and summoned a servant, 
who was directed to call the prince, and ere long 
Rollo appeared before his father. The bearing of 
the youth was proud and free, for he had bravely 
won the place of a warrior chieftain, as the eagle 
plume in his cap gave token ; but yet he was 
respectful, and when he bent his head he did it 
reverently. 


The Fa^^-Seer s Prophecy. 21 


My son, I greet thee on this fair and auspicious 
morning,'* said the king. 

‘‘Fair the morning is, most surely," returned the 
prince, “ but of what is it auspicious ?" 

“ That may remain for heaven to show us," replied 
Thorstein. “ Have you eaten your morning's meal ?" 

“ I have." 

“ Then come with me into the forest. We will 
walk alone." 

“ Does our path lead to the north ?" 

A cloud passed over the brow of the king, and his 
lips suddenly contracted. 

“No," he replied. “We go in another direction. 
Our path leads towards the temple." 

“ I am ready." 

“ Then let us set forth. Take one of those spears 
from the wall, if your own is not at hand." 

Thus armed, the king and his son left the castle, 
and when they had passed the outer wall and 
descended the slope, they struck into a broad path 
that led them through the forest towards the east. 
Thorstein led the way, with his head bowed and his 
lips closed. It was an unusual thing for him to. be 
thus silent in presence of his son, and Rollo wondered 
much at it. Something of weighty import must have 
been upon his mind ; and the prince thought of what 
Hildegunna had told him on the previous evening. 

Straight on they went through the forest, for half 
a mile or more, until they came to an open space, 
upon two sides of which arose a towering wall of 
solid rock, fashioned by the hand of Nature into a 
shape which man might have strove in vain to imi- 


'I'l 


Rollo of Normandy. 


tate. Within a deep recess, at the angle of this wall, 
stood a massive altar of granite, behind which was 
an opening into the face of the cliff, which grew 
larger as it went in, until it assumed the dimensions 
of a large cavern. This was the Temple of Odin ; 
and the people of Warvalla believed that Odin him- 
self had fashioned it for the use of his worshiping 
children. Upon the altar were some rudely chiselled 
ruins, and it was held that these, even, had been 
stamped tfuere by the hand of the god. Upon the 
stones in front of the altar, as also upon the sides of 
the altar itself, vrere dark, glutinous spots, looking 
like dried blood. It may have been but a kid, or a 
goat, or an ox, whose blood had been spilled there 
in sacrifice ; and it may have been a man ora woman ; 
for those dark worshipers often brought the offering 
of human life to their altars. 

As Thorstein stood before the altar a man issued 
from the cave and moved forward to greet him — a 
middle-aged man ; tall and gaunt*; with hair and 
beard unshorn and untrimmed, the long dark locks 
hanging in matted and tangled masses over his 
bosom and back. A robe of black cloth covered his 
body, from neck to feet, upon the breast and skirts 
of which were a number of mystic Runic characters, 
worked in red. Such was Thangbrand, the Far-seer, 
and Priest of Odin. His power of prophecy none 
dared to question, for it was believed that his 
authority came direct from Heaven. 

The king is welcomed by the smiling gods,"' pro- 
nounced Thangbrand, as he reached the inner side 
of the altar. 


The Far-Seers Prophecy, 


23 


“ Will the gods vouchsafe speech to Thorstein on 
this occasion ?” asked the chieftain, reverently. 

“ Their servant will seek them,” was the priest’s 
reply. 

Thorstein turned to the prince. 

‘‘Listen, my son, and thou shalt be made 
acquainted with that which heaven hath ordained.” 

The youth drew nearer to the altar, and as he 
stood by his father’s side a feeling of awe possessed 
his soul, and he trembled with a mighty dread. 

The priest folded his arms upon his bosom, and 
closed his eyes ; and presently his body began to 
sway to and fro, as though moved by some invisible 
power. These oscillations increased, until finally 
the far-seer was thrown over upon his side. A con- 
vulsion of the limbs ensued, followed by frightful 
contortions of the fac'e, and at length the body was 
thrown upon its back, rigid and immovable. Both 
the king and his son bowed in speechless reverence, 
for they believed that the spirit of the man had left 
the prostrate form, and that Odin himself had, for 
the time, inhabited the mortal tenement. In this 
way did the god hold converse with his true and 
faithful followers. 

“ Hark ! The lips of the entranced far-seer move, 
and these words come forth : 

“ Thus saith Odin, the Father of all, through the 
lips of his chosen servant : Isis^ the daughter of Diana ^ 
shall give birth to a king j and in her seed shall the line 
of Norman monarchs be established P 

A few moments of silence succeeded, and then the 
body of the priest was again convulsed ; and ere 


24 


Rollo of Normandy. 


long Thangbrand arose as though from a dream ; 
but he spoke no word to his visitors. He folded his 
hands upon his bosom, and retired silently to his 
cave ; for he professed that, for some hours after the 
god had used his lips, he dared not profane them 
with human speech. 

Thorstein, when the priest had gone, turned from 
the altar and walked away, and the prince followed 
him. Silently as they had come, so did they wend 
their way back, the king moving with a firm and 
heavy tread, like one w'ho goes to mighty conquest ; 
while the prince rather staggered than walked, like 
unto him who is drunken with wine. When they 
stood in the castle chamber from which they had set 
forth, Thorstein addressed his son : 

‘‘Rollo, I look to see you put on the garb of wis- 
dom befitting a prince. You have heard the proph- 
ecy. Aye — you have heard the voice of the gods. 
Did you mark the words ?’' 

“ I marked them well,” replied the prince. 

“Did you understand them T' 

“ I am not given to interpretation of priestly 
prophecy.” 

“ Perhaps you would have me interpret them for 
you.” 

“ I will listen.” 

“ Then thus spoke the oracle : ‘ Isis^ the daughter 
of Diana^ shall give birth to a king ; and in her seed 
shall the line of Norman monarchs be established' Can 
you mistake the meaning of that ? If the gods do 
so much favor the daughter of Diana, there can be 
no such thing as overcoming them. But we have no 


The Par-Seer s Prophecy, 


25 


occasion to be alarmed. On the contrary, we have 
reason to be thankful. The race of Thorstein must 
sit upon the Norman throne, and through his line 
shall his crown go down to the coming generations. 
I have, in times past, had some fears. You were my 
only child, and in event of your death my race might 
become extinct; or, in case of loss by battle, the 
crown might pass fr6m you. But I fear no more. 
The gods have made it sure that Isis shall be the 
mother of kings ; so what shall prevent you from 
being the father of kings ?" 

Rollo was not unprepared for this ; and yet, when 
it came from his father’s lips he started as though he 
had heard his death-sentence. His hands were 
clasped, and his head was bowed. 

Do you understand me, my son ?” 

The prince raised his eyes, and spoke : 

‘‘ If I professed to misunderstand the meaning of 
what I have seen and heard, I should breathe a false- 
hood. It is meant that I should marry with Isis.’* 
Aye — that is the conclusion,” said Thorstein. 

“That I should break the solemn vows I have 
made to Clotilda, and betray the confidence she has 
reposed in me,” pursued Rollo. 

“ What are the vows of man, when they’clash with 
the purpose of heaven ?” demanded Thorstein. 

“ Heaven has declared no purpose touching 
myself,” replied the prince. 

The king strode up to his son, and looked sternly 
upon him. 

“ Heaven hath declared a purpose touching the 
daughter of Diana,” he said ; “and it may remain 


26 


Rollo of Normandy. 


for the king to declare his purpose to answer the 
demand. Listen : The line of Norman kings shall 
spring from the loins of Thorstein. Thou shalt wed 
with Isis 

I must have time to think of this/' answered 
Rollo. 

Not if you take time to plan a disobedience of 
my command ! Look ye, my s^n : my heart is fixed 
upon this, and woe be unto him that causeth my dis- 
appointment ! You may go and think ; but be sure 
that your thoughts prepare you for submission. For 
submission, do I say ? Shall I call it submission for 
a prince of my blood to secure the throne of his 
father ! By the shades of Baida ! if I thought your 
heart had not the firmness to lead you to the throne, 
I could smite you where you stand ! But it is not 
to be. The son of Thorstein will not see a stranger 
grasp his throne. Go — go, and think as you please. 
If this has made a wound in your heart, you may 
have time to nurse it. Go, I would hear no more 
until you are calm." 

With these words the king turned away, and 
Rollo left the chamber. 

Like one moving in the dark did the prince grope 
his way to his own apartment, and when once there 
he sat down and bowed his head upon his hands. 
For a long time he was totally unable to think. The 
blow had come upon him so unexpectedly — a blow 
so terrible, so utterly prostrating to all his hopes 
and aspirations for the future ! He had ambition — 
he felt proud in that he was heir to the throne his 
father had established ; but, deeper than ambition. 


The Far-Seei'^'s Prophecy. 


27 


of more power than his pride was the love he bore 
in his heart for the gentle daughter of Hildegunna. 
Since he could remember, Clotilda had been his 
best-beloved companion ; and ever since he had 
reached the age of understanding, she had been to 
him as a promised bride. 

At the end of some hours the prince had reached 
this conclusion : Not yet would he give up his 
love. 

In the evening he went to Hildegunna’s cot ; and 
as far as possible, he was resolved to let no sign be 
given whereby his trouble should be known. But 
he was not called upon to exercise any great amount 
of self-control to. that end ; for he found the widow 
and her daughter so engrossed by trouble of their 
own that they had no eye for looking after other 
cause for his troubles. 

‘‘ Dear Rollo,” said Clotilda, after she had told the 
story of her adventure on the previous night, and 
after Olaf had given his testimony, can you 
imagine what this means ? Who is there that can 
wish me harm ?'* 

The prince professed that he did not know ; and 
yet the terrible fear was upon him that he did know. 
However, he dared not give his suspicions breath ; 
so he spoke in terms of wonder and astonishment. 
And yet, after a little while, when he came to reflect 
upon the character of his father, the first suspicion 
found less hold upon his reason. 

“ Could you not recognize some feature of the 
ruffians ?’* he asked of Olaf. 

“ No, my master. I knocked them down without 


28 


Rollo of Normandy, 


stopping to look at them. But I think they were 
strangers. Clotilda did not know them.*' 

“ One of them,** suggested the maiden, I may 
have seen before passing our cot ; but I did not 
know him. They were both strangers, I am sure ; 
though, in the darkness, and upon my fears, the per- 
son of an acquaintance might have been disguised 
from me.** 

“Then the matter must rest as it is until we have 
opportunity for investigation,** said the prince. “I 
will make every possible exertion to solve ^he 
mystery ; and in the meantime we must take some 
measures for your safety ; for these villains may yet 
be intent upon their strange purpose. I think I will 
send up a faithful servant to share the watch with 
Olaf.** 

With the matter thus arranged, the conversation 
was turned upon other topics, and at an early hour 
Rollo took his departure. His first work upon 
reaching the castle was to seek his bondman Gaffel, 
a stout, faithful fellow, whom he sent to keep Olaf 
company. His next movement was to seek his father, 
to whom he related what had transpired at the cot 
of Hildegunna. 

“Rollo,** spoke the king, with a sternness that 
was most startling, “ did you think that I had any 
hand in this ?** 

“ I cannot say that I believed such a thing,*’ 
returned the prince; “but yet it was natural that 
my first thoughts should turn in that direction.*’ 

“Why should such a thing be natural to you ?” 

“ Can you not comprehend it, sire ?” 


The Far-Seers Prophecy, 


29 


I do comprehend the reason of your unnatural 
suspicion, my son ; and I do much blame you 
for it. When I addressed you upon an impor- 
tant subject, I did so frankly and freely, trusting to 
your own sense of duty and pride for the result. 
Should it ever become my will to remove the 
daughter of Hildegunna from Warvalla, no ruffian 
strangers will be sent to do it in the night. Touch- 
ing the outrage of which you have spoken, I knew 
nothing until now. Bring me the men who have 
dared thus to invade the sanctity of the widow's 
home, and they shall suffer severely." 

Grant me your pardon, my father, if I have, in 
thought, wronged you." 

‘‘ We will let that matter pass," said the king ; 
‘‘ and if you feel that you have done me wrong, be 
guarded for the future. I have answered your ques- 
tion ; and I would now have you answer me. You 
have seen Clotilda ; did you speak with her touch- 
ing the matter of the far-seer's prophecy ?" 

“ No, — I was not prepared." 

You have thought of the matter ?" 

‘‘Yes." 

“ To what effect ?" 

“To no effect, save this: I will give you an 
answer in one month. The moon is now just sink- 
ing beyond the waters. When the next rides as 
does the present, my answer shall be ready." 

“ Rollo, do you trifle with me ?" 

“ No, sire ; nor will I trifle with myself. I am 
not now prepared to meet the question in any shape." 

“ You are foolish, my son. If you hope that time 


30 


Rollo of Normandy , 


may shake my resolution, you are sadly mistaken. 
At the end of a month the necessity will be upon 
you exactly as it is now ; and in the meantime you 
have only to decide whether you will obey the 
oracle — " 

^‘You forget, sire. The oracle mentioned me 
not." 

‘‘And yet," said the king, while his brow grew 
dark, “you know that the oracle mentioned my 
throne. If you suppose that I can consider the 
future kings of Normandy as something apart from 
my blood, then I have an unworthy son ; and if that 
unworthiness is too boldly manifested — " 

The prince held up his hand in an imploring 
manner as his father seemed on the point of uttering 
a deep curse, and Thorstein stopped. 

“Grant me the month, my father; and until the 
end of that time curse not your son." 

“ But wherefore the month } Why delay ?" 

“I would have time for reflection." 

“ No, — I will not grant it so. And yet the month 
you shall have — a month for preparation. You can- 
not mistake that." 

Without further remark the king turned upon his 
heel, and Rollo left the apartment, and wandered 
away by himself down the hill, and into the wood. 
The month was before him ; and in his ardent soul 
he hoped that it might bring some relief from the 
threatened doom. Something might transpire to 
change the promised current of events — who could 
tell? 



CHAPTER III. 

MORE MYSTERY. THE DANE. 

The next time that Rollo visited the widow's cot 
Clotilda noticed that something troubled him, and 
she asked him what it was. He was not prepared 
to tell her the whole truth, so he only told her a 
part. He told her that the adventure she had met 
with gave him great uneasiness. The maiden her- 
self had been somewhat troubled on this same 
account, but when she thought that her lover was 
suffering therefrom she tried to reassure him, pro- 
fessing, with cheerful look and bold tone, to have 
put away her fears. And the prince tried to con- 
vince himself that the strange appearance of those 
two ruffians was the result of some sudden freak, 
and that no fixed plan of evil was to be apprehended. 
But these hopes were destined to be very soon dis- 
sipated. 

One evening, as Rollo found himself unable to 
sleep, he girded his sword about his loins, and wan- 
dered off into the wood. He turned first toward 
Hildegunna’s cot, but when he reached it he found 
the windows all dark, and he wandered down to the 


32 


Rollo of Normandy. 


sea shore, where he seated himself upon a rock, 
with the waves breaking close upon his feet. And 
there, with the stars looking down upon him, with 
the soft beams of the crescent moon lighting up dia- 
monds in the sand, and with the murmuring of the 
sea sounding its soft cadence in his ear, he gave him- 
self up to thoughts of the prophecy which threat- 
ened to make a dark doom of his life. It was a 
wrong time and a wrong place for such thoughts, if 
the cause of the king was to have a hearing. With 
the heart's deepest love in one scale, and the plan of 
the kingly ambition in the other, there could be no 
wavering of the balance. Love ruled the hour, and 
the prince finally arose from the stone with the 
resolution strongly fixed that he would not sacrifice 
his heart to the far-seer’s prophecy. 

On his way back he passed the cot again, and 
then into the path that led down through the 
forest. He had gone but a little way when he 
fancied that he heard footsteps before him. He 
stopped and listened, and when he was satisfied that 
his fancy was not a false one, he slipped out from 
the path, and concealed himself behind a large oak. 
In a few moments two men made their appearance, 
and when they reached a point not far from where 
the prince had hidden, they stopped. 

‘‘I hope we’ll have better luck this time,” said 
one. 

“If we get the damsel we will not come back this 
way,” replied the other. 

“ No,” resumed the first. “We’ll take her to the 
wood. However,” he added, “ we shall not meet 


More Mystery — The Dane. 


33 


that stout swineherd to-night. Curse him — I’d like 
to prick him with my sword.” 

“ So would I. But where is our dog ?” 

Both the men whistled, and presently a large 
Irish hound came bounding up the path. 

Come along,” said one of the ruffians, ^‘and don’t 
be wandering off out of the way. We may want you 
by and by.” 

And thus speaking, the man started on again with 
his companion, but the dog did not follow. Instead 
thereof he put his nose to the ground, and gave forth 
a low, anxious whine, which ended in a sort of ven- 
triloquial howl. 

What is it now ?” demanded villain number one, 
stopping and turning towards the brute. Come 
along !” 

Hold on !” said villain number two. “ He's 
found something. He don't howl like that for noth- 
ing. Ha !” 

Meanwhile the prince had been busy with plans for 
his own safety. By the moonlight he could see 
enough of the dog to know that it was one of the 
most savage and powerful kind, and he quickly made 
up his mind that he must be prepared to defend him- 
self. His sword was heavy and sharp, and when he 
saw the hound coming towards him, he drew it from 
its scabbard and stood ready for action. With his 
nose to the ground, the brute moved on until within 
a few yards of his prey, and then he lifted his head, 
and gave the startling howl which had called forth 
the remark of the last speaker. The prince did not 
wait for a nearer approach, for he saw very plainly 


34 


Rollo of Normandy. 


that the dog was preparing to spring upon him, and 
so, with a movement as quick as thought, he swept 
his heavy blade through the air, and when it 
descended, the brute’s head was fairly cleft in twain. 
Then it was that villain number two uttered an 
exclamation of alarm, and immediately afterwards 
both of them sprang forward. 

Rollo had no fears now. The falling of a single 
false stroke might have been a sad trial for him, but 
against the two men there was no such danger. He 
felt himself equal to any such combat, and without 
waiting for further advance, he darted forward. 

“ Vile miscreants,” he exclaimed, “ I am Rollo the 
prince ! Hold, or you both die !” 

For an instant the ruffians seemed to be paralyzed, 
but as though urged on by their first impulse, they 
stood their ground, and placed themselves on the 
defensive. The prince, rendered desperate by this 
outrage upon his person, let drive his sword at the 
foremost man, passing the point clean through his 
bosom, and as the blade was withdrawn, the victinv 
fell over backward. The second ruffian, when he 
saw this turned upon his heel and fled with all pos- 
sible speed into the thickest part of the wood. Rollo 
gave chase and followed him some distance, but 
the fugitive proved to be the most fleet of foot, and 
in the end the prince was forced to give up the pur- 
suit, and when he had made up his mind to this effect, 
he hastened back to the scene of the conflict, where 
he found the wounded man trying to raise himself 
to a sitting posture. He knelt down and lifted the 
fellow’s head upon his knee. The moon was now so 


More Mystery — The Dane, 


35 


low that the place where he knelt was thrown darkly 
into the shade, and he could not distinguish any of 
the man's features, but he could tell, from the deep 
gasping and from the weakening of the neck, that 
life was fast ebbing away. If he would gain a clue 
to this strange affair, no time was to be lost. 

Speak to me. I am Rollo, the prince." 

“ Help me ! — O, help ! My blood is flowing out 
and death is coming in !" 

Answer me a question first, and then you shall 
be helped." 

The man uttered a deathly groan, and pressed his 
hand upon his bosom. Rollo saw the movement, 
and when he had found the wound, he pressed a 
scarf upon it, thus stopping, for the time, the out- 
ward flow of blood. 

^‘Answer me, and you shall have the best help 
Warvalla can afford. You seek to carry away the 
daughter of Hildegunna. Is it not so ?" 

*‘I cannot deny it," replied the fallen man, in a 
weak, rattling tone. 

And you tried once before to bear her off ?" 

Yes." 

“ Why did you do it ?" 

The man made no reply. 

Who set you on to perform this work ?" 

‘‘You need not ask such questions, sir." 

“ By the throne of Odin !" cried Rollo, fiercely 
anxious to obtain the secret, “ if you will tell me 
what I ask, I swear to you, if you outlive this night, 
you shall not be called to account for your crime ! 
Now tell me, first, who are you ?" 


« 


36 


Kollo of Normandy. 


I cannot tell you that/' 

Then tell me why you sought to harm the 
maiden." 

‘‘ I did not seek her harm." 

But why did you seek to carry her away ?" 

The man looked up and groaned in agony, but 
made no reply to the question. 

‘‘ Will you not speak ? Will you not answer me ? 
Some one employed you in this work. Is it not so ?" 

‘‘You question me in vain," said the dying ruf- 
fian. “ I cannot speak as you would have me, and to 
deceive you would be useless. I think I am dying — 
I know I am dying ; but if you had power to stop 
the course of death, I could not purchase my life at 
the price. O, it is dark and cold !" 

“In the name of Odin, of Thor, and of the dead 
Balder, I beseeeh thee, tell me who set thee on to 
this. Tell me, and I will save thee if I can. You 
need fear no vengeance from those whom you betray^ 
for Rollo can quickly render them powerless." 

“ I cannot." 

“You must! By the gods you must not hold 
back the secret." 

“I cannot speak. If you think to overcome my 
resolution, you do not know me. You will not save 
me, so let me die in peace." 

“ Die in peace !" cried the prince, lifting the droop- 
ing head higher up. “ How can you hope to die in 
peace with this crime upon your soul ? No, no, — 
you die to perdition if you do not confess the power 
that hath employed you 1" 

“ I am not afraid," replied the ruffian. 


More Mystery — The Dane, 


37 


“ O- — be generous to me. Tell me what this 
means ! In heaven’s name I implore you !” 

No !” 

“ By the gods ! if there was life enough in your 
body I’d bring forth by torture that which persua- 
sion cannot move from you.” 

‘‘You would torture in vain, my lord.” 

“ One word more — listen to me — be not ” 

The prince ceased speaking, for the swaying head, 
which had been growing heavy upon his knee, fell 
off upon the ground ; and when he stooped to raise 
it again he found the neck limp and flaccid. He put 
his ear down, but heard no breath. The man was 
dead. 

Rollo started to his feet, and clasped his hands 
upon his brow. The mystery was deeper and darker 
than before. 

“Who can it be ?” he muttered to himself. “Who 
can have employed this fellow with such power over 
him ? There is something wonderful in it. O, if I 
could have obtained but one word from him — one 
word of light !” 

But regrets were useless, and when the prince knew 
that the villain was dead, he hastened back to the 
cot, where he found Olaf upon the watch. He dis- 
covered himself to the swineherd without disturbing 
any others of the household, and, in a whisper, bade 
him awaken Gaffel, and then join him in the path. 
In a little while Olaf came forth with a lantern, very 
anxious to know what had happened. 

“ Come with me,” said Rollo, “ and I will tell you.” 
And, as they walked along, the prince related what 


38 


Rollo of Normandy. 


had transpired, closing his account just as they 
reached the place where the dead bodies of the man 
and the dog lay. 

By the light of the lantern they examined the 
features of the dead man, but they could find noth- 
ing familiar. 

‘‘I think,” said Olaf, that this is one of those 
whom I met very near this same place, and who had 
my young mistress in captivity. I am sure it is.” 

But you do not recognize him further than that ?” 

No, my master. Who he is, or where he came 
from, is more than I can tell. But — I have seen this 
dog in the forest before — I think it is the same.” 

And that was all the swineherd could tell. So the 
prince gained no light as yet. 

On the following morning the bodies of the man 
and dog were taken to the city, and exposed in the 
public place ; and when Rollo had given out that 
the man and the dog had both attacked him in the 
forest on the night before, he called for some one to 
come forward and recognize the deceased. But no 
one was able. A thousand men gazed upon the face 
of the dead man during the day, and yet no one was 
found who could give any information. And the 
body was buried without a gleam of light upon the 
secret which had been locked up in the lifeless 
bosom. 

By the ghost of Balder !” cried the prince, as he 
stood before his father, ‘‘ I would give much to know 
who hath taken such enmity to the daughter of 
Hildegunna. Let the future bring what it may — let 
the fate of the maiden run with mine, or let it run 


More Mystery — The Dane. 


39 


from me— let her be to me a companion, or let her 
be put far from me — I will hold to account the man 
who does her harm, if I can find him !” 

‘‘My son,” replied the king, with calm dignity, “I 
approve your resolve. Find me the wretch who thus 
tramples upon the rights of the daughters of War- 
valla, and the sword of the executioner shall be his 
reward. But I have full faith that the criminal is 
not of our people. There is a mystery about it which 
I cannot fathom. And,” continued the monarch, in 
a lower, deeper tone, “ something tells me that clouds 
are rising somewhere near us.” 

“ Clouds ?” repeated the prince. 

“Aye — clouds. I feel it in my soul that the battle 
is coming. Thorstein has been too long inactive. 
For one whole year my ships have been idle, and I 
have been content to build my throne upon the land. 
Last night a star left its place in the heavens, and 
flew directly towards me, as though it would burst 
full upon me ; but it lost its force in mid-heaven, and 
fell in harmless fragments to the earth. That star 
came from the northeast. What do you make of it ?” 

“I saw the same thing,” replied Rollo ; “and I 
knew not what to make of it.” 

“ It is the coming of an enemy,” pursued the king, 
with prophetic confidence, “ and the bursting of the 
fiery messenger signifies that the enemy shall be 
overcome. Look to your arms, and see that your 
forces are in readiness.” 

By a strange coincidence, which served to 
strengthen Thorstein in his mystic faith, the coming 
of the meteor was followed by the coming of an 


40 


Rollo of Normandy. 


enemy. Early in the morning, three days after the 
burial of the ruffian whom Rollo had slain, a stout 
yeoman came running down in hot haste from the 
northern headland, with the intelligence that a large 
fleet of vessels was approaching the coast. Thor- 
stein and his son were together when the messenger 
arrived, and they hastened at once to the top of the 
highest tower, from which point the whole line of 
the northern coast was visible. 

“ By the immortal gods !’* cried Thorstein, as he 
looked, “ the Dane is upon us ! Your eyes are better 
than mine, my son. Can you make out the flag 
that floats from the mast of the foremost ship 

I can only see that it is a black banner, with a 
red device in the center,’' replied the prince. 

“ Enough,” said Thorstein, with a firm stamp of 
the foot. “ It is Wolfard, the Danish Sea-king. He 
has come to plant his black banner in Normandy. 
But he shall find that Thorstein is not yet dead ! 
See — he steers this way. He must have at least two 
thousand warriors. What say you ?” 

Rollo counted fifteen large vessels, each capable 
of bearing more than a hundred men ; and he was 
forced to admit that his father’s estimate was not 
too high. It was furthermore evident, from the 
manner in which the fleet came on, that the enemy 
intended to effect a landing at the most convenient 
point. 

‘‘ Let them land where they please,” cried Thor- 
stein, taking one more look at the vessels ; we will 
be prepared for them.” 


More Mystery — The Dane. 


41 


They may land on the northern shores,” said 
Rollo. 

*‘It is possible ; but it matters not to me. They 
must pass a stern barrier ere they reach our town. 
Ah — I would that Kodran were now alive !” 

“ Grieve not for Kodran,” answered the prince, 
“for I will fill Kodran’s place.” 

“Ah, my son,” returned the king, with a dubious 
shake of the head, “ you know not what a mighty 
warrior great Kodran was. He was every inch and 
every thought a hero. But we must not idle here. 
Away, and summon your forces ; and, if you see 
Thorwald, bid him marshal the men of his line. In 
the meantime I will send some one up here to keep 
watch, and report the movements of the foe.” 

Rollo hastened down, and when he had delivered 
the message to Thorwald, the lieutenant, his next 
movement was to send one of his trusty servants to 
Hildegunna, to bring her and her household straight- 
way to the town ; for the Danes might come in upon 
the headland, and thus fall upon her cot. This 
done, he turned next to marshaling the warriors 
of Warvalla, and ere long they began to answer 
the summons. Like lightning spread the news of the 
coming of the Danes, and as the loud trumpets 
sounded from the castle walls the Normans came 
pouring forth from all quarters. With spear and 
shield, with sword and battle-axe, and with bow 
and quiver they came, all anxious for the fray, and 
eager to taste once more the excitement of victory. 

In one short hour the king found a thousand men 
ready for battle, and within another hour five hun- 


42 


Rollo of Normandy. 


dred more would be on hand. In a little while word 
was brought that the foe were landing upon the 
beach, not more than a league from the town. The 
next messenger brought news that the enemy num- 
bered full two thousand. At this Thorstein stood 
before his men, and addressed them : 

“ My Norman sea-braves ! The Dane is upon us. 
Wolfard of the Red Hand leads his warriors against 
us. Wolfard is brave, and he leads brave men. Shall 
he make this fair land his home, while the Normans 
fall like sheep before him ?’' 

Like a bolt of thunder went up the stern negative 
of the assembled host. 

At the foot of the castle-hill, to the northward, 
was a broad, open space, running back some two 
miles from the sea to the forest on the east, and over 
half a mile in width, and towards this point Thor- 
stein led his forces, allowing the rear to rest well on 
the slope, where he caused his best archers to arrange 
themselves, that they might cover the advance of his 
swordsmen. His lieutenant was left in the town 
to receive those warriors who were yet to arrive, 
and whom he was to hold back as a reserve until 
called for. 

At length, around a point of wood which extended 
down towards the beach, appeared the black banner 
of the Dane, and very soon afterwards the hosts of 
Wolfard were in sight. Thorstein sought his son. 

‘‘ Fear not, my father,” said the youthful prince, 
standing proudly erect as he spoke. “ If I live 
through tliis day, I will prove to the haughty Dane 
that Rollo is worthy to be Thorstein*s son ! ” 



CHAPTER IV. 

THE BATTLE, AND ITS RESULT. 

Wolfard, of the Red Hand, was a giant in stature, 
and he had the name of being one of the most pow- 
erful chiefs of the northern rovers. He marched at 
the head of his columns, with his standard-bearer 
upon one hand, and his armor-bearer upon the other ; 
and when he came within hailing distance of the 
Normans, he called out in a voice that rang like a 
trumpet : 

‘‘ Thorstein, of Normandy, yield thee, or die ! ” 

Thorstein called to an attendant, and obtained a 
bow, with which he sent an arrow flying back to his 
challenger, and so nicely had he calculated the dis- 
tance, that the missile dropped fairly at Wolfard’s 
feet. That was the answer of the Norman. In a 
moment more the Danes were in motion, and it was 
plain to be seen that their archers were being thrown 
out in front. This suited Thorstein, for he knew 
that his own archers could draw the strongest bows, 
and while they discharged their arrows from the 
acclivity in the rear, his swordsmen could cover 
themselves with their bucklers. The Danes far out- 
numbered the Normans at the commencement of the 


44 


Rollo of Normandy, 


battle ; but the nature of the ground was such that 
the effective forces engaged were nearly equal. For 
some time the barbed arrows flew to and fro, and 
Wolfard at length discovered that he was losing 
ground. The arrows of the Normans were thinning 
his ranks perceptibly, while the arrows of his own 
men reached their objects with little effect. 

‘‘ Ha !’* cried Thorstein, as he noticed a new 
movement on the part of the foe, “they are coming 
with sword and spear. Now, my Norman braves, 
show the Dane what the men of Warvalla can do. 
Remember the glorious victories of the times past, 
and let the honor you have once established remain 
untarnished. Where is Rollo?*' 

“ Here,*’ replied the youth, appearing before his 
father. 

“You, my son, I put in dead Kodran’s place. You 
will take my right, and lead the attack. Wolfard is 
advancing from his centre, and while I meet him 
with my chosen guard, you will sweep down upon 
his left, and break his forces in pieces if you can. 
Let us see how the name of Rollo stands at the set- 
ting of this sun.** 

With a simple reply of obedience the prince has- 
tened away to the right wing of the army. 

“ Trust me as you have trusted Kodran,” he cried, 
“ and I will not fail you. Follow me, and I will lead 
you to the enemy. Do as you see me do, and you 
shall drive the invader from our shore. Rollo’s fate 
is linked with yours. Let us conquer or fall 
together.” 

A loud shout of ready compliance answered this 


The Battle and its Result. 


45 


appeal, and in a few n^oments more they were ready 
for the shock. Wolfard had advanced amid a 
shower of arrows, and as the first clash of steel 
sounded upon the air, Rollo gave the word for his 
division to start. Fired with zeal and emulation, 
the youthful prince, determined to prove himself 
worthy the rank of a Norman chieftain, rushed upon 
the foe with an impetuosity entirely irresistible ; 
and his men, catching the inspiration of his heroic 
bearing, and being resolved that he should not fight 
alone, followed stoutly to his support. 

Rollo fought as though there could be no such 
thing as death or danger in his way. With a reck- 
lessness which would have proved quickly fatal to a 
weaker man, he dashed upon the foe, soon exchang- 
ing his sword for his battle-ax, and the stout Danes 
fell before his sturdy blows like shocks of corn before 
the sickle of the reaper. With a shock like the com- 
ing of an avalanche, he and his ready followers fell 
upon the enemy’s left wing, and in a very short time 
five hundred Danes were turned back, and half their 
number slain. 

Once, when Thorstein stopped to take breath, he 
asked after his son. 

Look,” said an attendant. ‘‘You can see him 
from here. By the shades of Balder, it doth seem as 
though the gods upheld him. See !” 

The king beheld his son just as the left wing of 
the enemy gave way ; and when he saw the youth 
press on, cheering his men by word and deed, he 
blessed heaven and took new heart ; and once more 
raised his arm upon the foe. 


46 


Rollo of Normandy . 


Hark ! What word is that which flies from mouth 
to mouth along the Norman lines ? 

“ Thorstein, the king, is fallen !” 

A messenger came in hot haste to the prince. 

“ The king is not dead, my lord ; but he is so 
badly wounded that he was forced to retire from the 
field. A spear was plunged deep into his thigh, 
opening some of those channels through which the 
very life-blood flows in large volume. He stood up 
as long as he could ; but he can stand no longer. 
He sends for you to take his place. Our lines 
already waver beneath the shock of the king’s loss.” 

At this moment, when an accident might have 
decided the day against the Normans, Thorwald 
arrived with five hundred fresh men. Rollo quickly 
explained to the lieutenant what had transpired, and 
leaving him to lead another charge in that direction 
upon the reconstructed forces of the Danes, he has- 
tened away to take his father’s place in the centre of 
the field. And he arrived not a moment too soon, 
for he found the main body of the Norman guard 
just ready to break and turn before the hotly press- 
ing foe. 

On came the prince, with his battle-ax swung 
aloft, and his loud war-cry ringing upon the air ; 
and as he plunged against the advancing Danes, the 
Norman warriors caught the spark from the fire of 
his heroic daring, and quickly rallied to his support. 
In a short time the tide of battle was effectually 
turned, and the invaders began to fall back. Wol- 
fard had seen the Norman king borne from the field, 
and he had then thought his victory sure ; but the 


The Battle and its Result, 


47 


coming of the prince had put his brave hopes to 
flight. When he found that his men were falling 
back, he saw but one chance to win the day. The 
Norman prince must be slain. With this purpose he 
strode forward from his quaking host, and ere long 
stood face to face with Rollo. 

The meeting of the two chieftains was noticed far 
and near, for both had been eagerly watched ; and 
in a moment, as though by mutual consent, the con- 
tending armies rested from their bloody work. 

Now, bold youth,*' cried the Dane, your hour 
is come. You must fall, and thus make speedy 
decision of this day's battle." 

Rollo falls not before mere words," returned the 
prince. “ He who strikes me down must have a 
stout arm." 

‘‘ And I have that arm, boy. Yield thee, and thy 
life may be spared." 

“ When I am dead, Wolfard may put his foot upon 
me ; but while I live, I am his enemy. Come, sir, 
waste not words. My soul is on fire, and my people 
look to see the battle ended." 

‘‘Then be it as you will !" exclaimed the Dane ; 
and as he spoke he swung his ponderous ax above 
his head, and aimed a mighty blow at his adversary. 

Thus, in the commencement, it seemed an unequal 
combat, and the Normans trembled with apprehen- 
sion. The Danish king towered a full head above 
the prince, and was equally gigantic in his other 
proportions. His ax was a mighty weapon, and his 
huge shield was invulnerable. Had the two com- 
batants met at an earlier hour, Rollo might have 


48 


Rollo of Normandy. 


fallen before the stout Dane ; but, in the fatigue of 
battle — the fatigue of hours — youth, properly trained, 
has the advantage. Wolfard was the strongest of 
frame, and the most huge of muscle ; but fatigue 
had told upon his bulky form with deadening effect. 
His breath was short and quick, and his efforts were 
followed by a gasping which told to his youthful 
adversary just where his weak point was. Thus 
forewarned, Rollo nimbly dodged the blows of the 
ponderous ax, for the while contenting himself with 
acting on the defensive. In a little while he threw 
aside his own ax, and drew his trusty sword ; for, 
since his victory must be the result of superior agil- 
ity, this was the weapon best suited to his purpose. 

^‘Let me see! Let me see !’' cried Thorstein, who 
had been borne part way up the hill upon a litter. 

The attendants held the king up in a sitting pos- 
ture, and thus he was enabled to view the combat. 

“The gods defend him!” he ejaculated, as he 
beheld the Dane’s ponderous ax sweep the air. 
“ Ha ! my boy throws away the ax, and takes his 
sword. By the gods, he has a noble blade — the best 
in Normandy. His grandfather brought that sword 
from Greece, captured from an Athenian captain, 
and the Athenian brought it from Damascus. Shall 
it serve him now ?” 

“ Look, sire ! The Dane is slow and clumsy. See 
how tardily he recovers his ax.” 

“ I cannot see plainly,” said the king. “ My eyes 
are weak, and the bright sunlight blinds them. And 
my head aches. I think I am very weak of body, 
too. But you can see ?” 


The Battle and its Result. 


49 


Yes — plainly/' 

Then tell me how it goes. How fares it with 
my son ?" 

Bravely ! bravely !" exclaimed the attendant. 

The Dane swings his ax with less precision, and I 
think his shield is held with less caution. Ha ! — 
yes — he is wounded !’' 

‘‘Who?— my son ?” 

“ No — the Dane, He is wounded upon the left 
shoulder. Yes — his shield sinks. Ah — now the 
prince wakes up ! By the powers of heaven, how 
his sword sweeps the air ! O, sire, can you not 
see ?” 

“ No, no. Tell me all. Is the boy harmed ?’' 

“ Harmed ? Not he. But — hold — Great Odin be 
praised !" 

“ What is it ?" eagerly asked the king, grasping 
his attendant by the arm. 

“The sword of the prince flashes like lightning in 
the sunlight, and it passes through the giant body of 
the Danish king, from breast to back. Aye, and the 
great Wolfard staggers like a drunken man ! — He 
reels to and fro ! — His right arm sinks, and the ax 
falls ! Ho, ho — he falls ! he falls ! The Red Hand 
is dead ! Do you hear that shout ?" 

“ Aye," exclaimed the king, fairly struggling to 
his feet. “ It is the Norman shout of victory. Oh, 
Odin be praised !" 

It was indeed the victor's shout, and the Normans 
were rushing forward to secure the prize. As soon 
as the Danes beheld the fall of their chieftain, they 
turned in wild dismay, and fled towards their vessels. 


50 


Rollo of Normandy . 


Some of them — those who were nearest to the shore, 
managed to gain their decks, and put to sea before 
they were overtaken, but many others were captured, 
together with more than half the ships, so that in 
the end the Normans seized much wealth. Some of 
the prisoners were able to pay heavy ransoms, but 
the majority of them took the solemn oath of allegi- 
ance to the Norman sovereign. That evening the 
town of Warvalla was alive with rejoicing, and the 
name of Rollo was upon every lip. He was the hero 
of the day — he had been the savior of the people — 
for by his individual prowess had the battle been 
decided. 

And there was mourning in Warvalla. Widows 
and orphans had been made since morning, and stout 
men lay writhing in pain. 

And there was gloom in the royal castle. The 
noble Thorstein lay stretched upon his couch, and 
the doctors dared not promise that he should recover. 
Towards midnight the king awoke from a lethargic 
slumber, which had been induced from some potent 
drug, and his first inquiry was for his son. The 
prince quickly answered the summons, and when he 
reached his father’s side the attendants were all sent 
out. Rollo was deeply affected when he beheld the 
deathly shadow which had fallen upon the face of 
his sire, and sinking upon his knees, he bowed his 
head in sorrow. 

** No, no,” said Thorstein, “ let not this be a season 
of mourning. Arise, my noble son, and let me gaze 
upon thee. Right bravely hast thou proved thyself 


The Battle and its Result, 


51 


worthy to succeed thy sire. If I must die, Odin has 
surely granted me a favorable opportunity." 

‘‘Don’t talk of dying," plead the prince. “You 
will outlive this wound." 

“Ah, my son," replied Thorstein, with a dubious 
shake of the head, “ this wound is not a light one. 
I was leading my brave men to a charge upon the 
very center of the enemy’s force, and had just struck 
down Wolfard’s lieutenant, when a stout yeoman 
close upon my side, hurled a spear that struck me in 
the thigh, and the blood poured from the wound as 
though it came directly from the heart." 

“ But the blood does not flow now," said Rollo. 

“ No — not now. It is stopped by many ban- 
dages.” 

“Then it may soon heal. We have seen bad 
wounds get well. It is not in the upper part of the 
body, where the life of the soul holds its seat, so it 
cannot do its fatal work inwardly, as some wounds 
do." 

“ I may recover, my son, and I may not, and I 
shall be wise if I plan safely. If I trust to hope, I 
may die unprepared, and much evil might result ; 
while, on the other hand, if I am fully prepared for 
death, the continuation of life will be no less a bless- 
ing. If I die, you will be king of Normandy." 

“ Upon me will fall the mantle of authority," 
replied the prince. “ But, O, I do not covet it." 

“ How, my son ?" 

“Do not misunderstand me, sire. If you must 
die, your son will hold the reins of government as 
he held the tide of battle against the Dane. If it be 


52 


Rollo of '‘Normandy. 


the will of the gods that Rollo must ascend the 
throne, he will never dishonor the memory of his 
father.” 

Bless you — bless you, my boy !” cried the king, 
stretching forth his hand and resting it upon his 
son’s arm. And now bring hither a seat, for j 
have more to say unto thee.” 

The prince brought the seat as directed, and when 
he had sat down his father resumed : 

‘‘You remember the last time we spoke about the 
prophecy of the far-seer, I gave you a month for 
reflection — ” 

“ Sire,” interrupted Rollo, with tremulous emo- 
tion, “ let that pass for now.” 

“ No, my son, it cannot so be. The matter is of too 
much importance to be passed over. I am weak- 
very weak — weaker than you imagine, and the 
strength which supports me now is the result of 
potent drugs. If I am to die, I must have the assur- 
ance that the sceptre of Normandy shall remain in 
the hands of my descendants. Rollo, you dare not 
disappoint me in this. You know the word which 
hath been spoken. The daughter of Diana shall be 
the mother of Norman kings.” 

“But, my father — ” 

“ Speak on.” 

“Must I sacrifice everything to the saying of the 
priest ?” 

“ Do you doubt the oracle V* asked the king, with 
a look of surprise. 

“ Must I,” continued the prince, as though follow- 
ing out his own reflections, “ cast off the love and 


The Battle and its Result. 


53 


devotion of my inner soul at the word of the far- 
seer ? Must I, who have this day led our army 
through a fearful battle to a glorious victory — who 
have stricken down the giant chieftain of the Red 
Hand in single combat — must I hold the sceptre as 
the result of Thangbrand’s saying ?’' 

“ My son, my son,'' exclaimed Thorstein, starting 
to his elbow, do you dare to question the authority 
of that word which we heard from the lips of the 
inspired prophet? It was the voice of Odin him- 
self. Do you not believe it ?" 

Rollo dared not answer this question as his 
instincts led him. In his own soul he doubted the 
far-seeing priest of Odin, but how much he doubted 
or how far his faith extended, he could not tell. He 
was not prepared to dispute the claim of Thang- 
brand to prophetic power, and yet he had not con- 
fidence enough in that power to give it his reliance. 

‘‘ Can you not answer me, my son ? Do you 
doubt the power of the priest ?" 

‘‘Sire," said the youth, after a painful hesitation, 
“ I cannot speak to you a falsehood, even though 
the truth gives you a shock. That the priest Thang- 
brand receives his prophetic speech direct from 
heaven may be true, but — I have not such faith in it 
as would lead me to oppose my own judgment in 
obedience thereto." 

“ Ah, my son, you miscall the word. It is not your 
judgment which stands in the way, it is your pre- 
judice of passion. If I thought that you were losing 
your faith in the gods " 

“ Stop, my father," cried the prince, imploringly 


54 


Rollo of Normandy. 


‘‘Do not make my estimation of Thangbrand involve 
my faith in heaven. When Gizur lived, hewas a good 
priest, and well beloved. I remember his cheering 
words, and I know that his counsel was safe. If 
Gizur were alive now, I should visit the temple with 
joy and satisfaction.’' 

“ Good, good Gizur !” murmured the king, mus- 
ingly. “ O, he was a noble, generous friend, a safe 
guide, and a devout priest ! It was a sad thing when 
Gizur died ! And yet — we must all die ! First the 
well-beloved priest, and then the — king !” 

“ Why did you not speak your full thought ?” said 
Rollo. “ Why not say — the well-beloved king ?” 

“ I think I could say it in truth, my son.” 

“Aye— in as pure truth as man ever spake.” 

The king closed his eyes, and his head rested more 
heavily upon the pillow. The thought of the dead 
priest had turned his mind from the subject of Thang- 
brand’s prophecy, and ere he again referred to it, his 
fancies were wandering in weakness. 

“Aha !” he uttered, clutching his hands upon the 
clothing of his bed, “ that was a noble stroke ! 
Where is the Red Hand now ?* Tell me all. Does 
my brave boy live ? Is he harmed ? What ! — killed ! 
No, no — not my boy ! Wolfard falls ! Odin be 
praised !” 

At this point the sufferer sank into a slumbering 
state, and Rollo called the physicians. They came 
in, and when they had examined the patient, they 
gave it as their opinion that he would sleep some 
hours. 

“ If you think he will sleep till the rising of the 


The Battle and its Result, 


55 


sun/' said the prince, I will go and get some rest. 
I have not found repose since the hea labors of the 
battle." 

The doctors assured him that he might leave his 
father with all safety and propriety. 

I shall find him alive in the morning ?" 

Yes." 

“ And he may recover from the wound entirely ?" 

One physician, with gray hair and wrinkled brow, 
shook his head mournfully, and to his judgment the 
others gave assent. 

Strangely conflicting emotions made tumult in the 
bosom of Rollo as he laid his head upon his pillow 
that night. 




CHAPTER V. 

A MESSAGE UNSPOKEN. 

Early in the morning the king awoke from the 
drug-induced sleep, and when his vround had been 
dressed he inquired for his son. The physicians told 
him that Rollo had retired at a late hour, to obtain 
rest. 

** He remained with you until you slept,*’ said one 
of the attendants, ‘‘and left word that he should be 
called when you awoke.” 

“ What is the hour ?” 

“ It is not yet sunrise, sire. 

“Then let him sleep on, for he is worthy of rest. 
Where is Veturlid ?” 

“ I am here,” replied the gray-haired physician, 
moving to the bedside. 

“ You were my father’s physician,” said Thorstein, 
motioning for the old man to sit down. 

“ Yes, sire.” 

“ He died of a wound received in battle.” 

“ Yes/’ 

“ You have seen my wound this morning ?” 

“ Yes.” 


A Message Unspoken. 


57 


‘‘ You have noted all the changes since yester- 
day ?’' 

Yes 

“ And I must die ?” 

We must all die at some time/' 

But I shall never leave this bed again by my 
own unaided strength ?" 

The physician was silent. 

‘‘ Speak, good Veturlid, and fear not to shock me 
with the truth. I am king, and I have important 
matters upon my mind. Shall I recover from 
this ?’* 

Sire/’ replied the aged leech, deeply affected, 
“ the wound is a bad one. It reaches down to the 
very current of life ; and the best part of your 
blood had ebbed away before help was properly 
given. Only a miracle can save you. If nature 
follo'ws the usual course of mortality, you must soon 
die/' 

A shudder passed over the king's frame, and 
there was a slight quiver of the nether lip ; but he 
did not show any fear. 

How soon ?" he asked. 

“ Perhaps you will not behold another sun." 

“Shall I live through this day?" 

“ I think you will." 

“ Then let my son rest on, and in the meantime I 
would see the priest of Odin. Let him be sum- 
moned at once." 

A messenger was quickly dispatched, and when 
he had gone the king slumbered again. Two hours 
later, Thangbrand, the priest, entered the chamber 


53 


Rollo of Normandy. 


where lay the wounded chieftain. Those present 
moved back with awe as the priest advanced, and 
stood with heads bowed. 

A sombre looking presence was that priest. His 
long dark hair and beard floated down in masses 
more wild and matted than ever before ; and his 
tall, gaunt form, enveloped in the trailing robe of 
black, with its mystic runes of blood-red, seemed 
like a grim spectre called up for the death-scene, 
from the under world. He approached the bed 
with his arms folded upon his bosom, and as he 
bent over the sleeping king, he muttered words 
which the hearers could not understand. 

Did he look like the messenger of a merciful 
spirit — that priest — or did he look like a demon of 
ill ? There were those in that chamber who shud- 
dered when he entered, and about whose hearts 
crept cold chills when he bent over the dying-bed. 
They did not doubt his sanctity ; they did not dis- 
pute his far-seeing power ; rather their faith in his 
possession of this power helped the emotions they 
experienced. 

Presently the far-seer spoke in language compre- 
hensible : 

Great Odin hath called our king away 

“ He cannot live ?’* said one of the physicians, 
interrogatively. 

“No,” replied Thangbrand. “I knew it yester 
eve ; and all last night I spent in making prepara- 
tion for his transit to the realm of Odin and Thor. 
Odin himself appeared in the temple, at the setting 
of the sun, and told me that the king was dying.” 


A Message U nspoken . 


59 


As these words were spoken by the priest, Thor- 
stein awoke from his slumber, and started to his 
elbow. A cry of alarm was upon his lips ; but he 
quickly recognized the far-seer, and soon seemed to 
comprehend where he was. 

Thangbrand, I sent for thee.'* 

‘‘Aye, cherished child of Odin, — I received thy 
message, and am here." 

The king made a motion to his attendants that 
they should raise him higher up ; and when this had 
been done, he turned again to the priest. 

“You did not think to find me so low, good 
Thangbrand." 

“ I thought nothing about it, my son. I knew how 
I should find you. Odin gave me knowledge of 
your approaching journey to his celestial realm." 

“ Ah, — say ye so ?" 

“ It is as I have said." 

Thorstein seemed relieved by his speech ; for his 
faith in the prophetic power and truth of the priest 
of the temple was strong. 

“Thangbrand, I shall die ?" 

“Yes." 

“ And Odin will receive me into the home of 
bliss 

“Yes, it hath so been revealed to me." 

“ Then to the gods be my blessings given !" 

A little while the king remained with his hands 
pressed upon his brow, and then he spoke once more 
— this time with more outward earnestness, and with 
more effort of thought. 

“ Thangbrand, I sent for thee, knowing that I had 


6o 


Rollo of Normandy. 


not many hours to live. Thou knowest the business 
I have in mind." 

“You allude to the interposition of Odin touching 
the perpetuation of the royal line of Thorstein." 

“ Yes." 

“ It is well, my son ; and it is fitting that you 
should understand it." 

“ Had we not better be alone ?" suggested the 
king, gazing around upon the attendants. 

“ No," replied the priest. “ I think it better that 
these witnesses should be present. The gods do not 
speak in secret. The voice of the thunder is theirs, 
and the forked lightning is the flashing of their 
eyes. Let these people remain." 

“ But Rollo " 

“ Let him rest. If he be an obedient son, the 
voice of the father will be sufficient for his guid- 
ance." 

The king seemed somewhat disappointed by this 
decision, but he made no complaint. There were 
near a score of people present in the chamber, and 
all of them, save two bond-servants, were men of 
rank and influence. 

“ Good Thangbrand," said Thorstein, after a short 
pause, “ if it be possible I would have thee explain 
somewhat more to me of the meaning of the oracle 
which Odin hath delivered." 

“ The words of Odin were simple and plain," 
replied the priest. “ Thus he said : ^ Isis^ the 

daughter of Diana shall give birth to a king; and in her 
seed shall the line of Norman 7nonarchs be established.' 
You heard the words, my son r' 


A Message Unspoken. 


6i 


“Yes, holy man; and they were as you have 
repeated them. But is there not some meaning not 
yet conveyed to me — some reason which may be 
presented to my son ? Can you not give me light ?” 

The priest did not reply at once in words. He 
raised his hands above his head ; and then he sat 
down upon the floor, with his feet drawn under him, 
and his head bent forward. In this position he 
remained, swaying to and fro, for some minutes, 
occasionally muttering some incoherent sentences in 
an unknown tongue. The spectators gazed with awe 
upon the scene, fully believing that the priest was 
communing with the gods. By and by Thangbrand 
arose, and acted as though he were struggling out 
from a trance ; and when the strange spasms had 
passed, he opened his lips in coherent speech : 

“ The god hath vouchsafed thee an answer, my 
son ; and I will speak as it hath been spoken to me. 
But, in giving thee the commendation which the 
gods have bestowed upon those who are worthy, I 
need not cast doubts upon others. Let the wisdom 
of those who hear determine the safe way. Thus 
hath it been shown to me ; Isis, the daughter of 
Diana, will preserve the true faith of Odin, and lead 
the children of her blood into communion with the 
gods. If your son unites his fate with her’s all shall 
be well with him, and with those of your line who 
shall succeed him. But, if he breaks away from the 
purpose thus set forth, ruin must fall upon him, and 
the sceptre of Normandy shall pass from his hands. 
But be not afraid, noble Thorstein. The gods have 


62 


Rollo of Normandy. 


foreseen the danger, and have mercifully provided 
against it.” 

‘‘ I see it now,” said the king, while a gleam of 
intelligence lighted up his pallid countenance. “I 
know that Diana hath been very near to the gods in 
her heart, and that her devotions at the temple have 
been constant.” 

“Aye,” added the priest; “and Isis hath been 
none the less devoted. Already doth the spirit of 
prophecy dwell in her soul, and her heart is pure in 
the sight of heaven.” 

“ Can I not see Isis ere I die T* 

“ It is fitting that you should, my son. Let one 
of your messengers be dispatched to her dwelling, 
and she, will quickly obey the summons.” 

A servant was sent upon the errand, and as Diana 
lived at some distance from the castle, the king was 
suffered to rest while he was gone. At the end of 
an hour Thorstein started up, as though from a 
troubled dream, and it was noticed that his eye had 
lost some of its fire, and that his lips were growing 
pale. 

“ Where is my son ?” he asked, when he had col- 
lected his senses. 

Almost as he spoke the prince entered the apart- 
ment, and moved quickly to the bedside. 

“ Father, father, how fares it with thee now ?” he 
asked, as he bent over and kissed the pale brow. 

“ I am weak and faint, my son. But how is it with 
thee ? Has harm come from the battle of yesterday ? 
Did any foul weapon touch thee with ill ?” 

“ No, no, not a scratch. I am strong and well, and 


A Message U^ispoken. 


63 


as able to meet the Dane at this moment as when I 
led my columns to the first onset. But, dear father, 
have not our physicians found some remedy ? Is 
there not, within their reach, some potent drug, some 
marvellous medication, that can lift thee up from 
this fearful spell 

“My son,” spoke the priest, “ strive not against 
the will of heaven. Thy father hath been called by 
the gods.” 

Rollo started when he heard that voice ; and when 
he met the gaze of the dark-browed far-seer, he 
shrank nearer to the bed, as though he would cover 
his father from the fatal gleaming of those deep 
black eyes. Thangbrand must have noticed the 
emotion of the youth, and he probably read its 
meaning; for a keener light flashed from his eyes, 
and the thick beard about his mouth moved as 
though the lips were being tightly compressed. 
However, before anything further could be said, the 
messenger returned and announced that Isis was in 
waiting. Rollo started up as he heard this, but ere 
he could ask any explanation, the priest had given 
directions for the maiden to be admitted ; and in a 
few moments the daughter of Diana stood within 
the chamber. 

A strange-appearing girl was Isis. Taller than 
the well-shaped man who stood by her side ; dark 
and coarse of complexion ; with hair as black as 
night, and hanging loosely over her shoulders ; with 
brow low and contracted ; with eyes deep-set and 
hawk-like ; with nose thin and sharp ; lips also thin ; 
and a chin short and receding. Her dress was a 


64 


Rollo of Normandy. 


simple robe of black, confined at the waist by a 
white cord. She obeyed the motion of the priest, 
and advanced to the bedside of the king, Rollo mov- 
ing back as she came up. 

“ Sire,*' spoke Thangbrand, ‘‘the maiden is before 
you.” 

Isis met Thorstein’s gaze with steady composure, 
as she had met the gaze of those who had first looked 
upon her in the royal chamber ; and yet there was 
an air of refinement in her manner, and her bearing 
was respectful. 

The king put forth his hand, and it was painfully 
evident that the movement drew greatly upon his 
strength. 

“ Where is her hand ?” he asked. 

She gave him her hand, and answered him that 
she was come at his bidding. Her voice was low 
and full, but not musical. 

The king gazed up, and his look wandered from 
the priest to the maiden uncertainly. 

“ I think it is growing dark here,” he said. “ Give 
me more light.” 

The priest started forward, and gently raised the 
monarch’s head. 

“Would you speak with the daughter of Diana, 
sire ?” 

“The daughter of Diana is favored of the gods,” 
murmured Thorstein, gazing upon a vacant point 
before him. “ She is a devout follower of Odin, and 
a true worshipper at the temple. She shall be the 
mother of a king. Where is my son ?” 

“ I am here,” replied the youth, moving to the bed- 


A Message U7tspoken, 


65 


side without looking up at either the priest or the 
maiden. 

Where ? Let me feel thy hand. They have 
not harmed thee, my boy ?’* 

No, my father.*' 

‘‘No wound touched thee?” 

“ None at all. I am safe and well. But can you 
not see me ? I am here — I hold your hand. Say, 
dear father, can you not look upon your son ?’* 

“ I feel thy hand, my boy ; but I think my eyes 
are dim. I wish I had more light." 

At this point the priest interposed, and suggested 
that some stimulant might be administered, which 
would give the king more strength. 

“ It should be done, if possible," he said ; “for our 
royal master must have some message to leave. He 
must speak more before he dies. Aye — he hath a 
most important thing yet to say. How is it, good 
Veturlid — can you not administer some potion that 
will have power to give direction and speech to his 
thoughts ?" The old physician shook his head. 

“ I might try the drug that sharpens men's wits 
sometimes. It could do him no harm, and it might 
give him animation enough to yield him sight and 
speech." 

“ Then give it — give it," urged Thangbrand. 

The king took the drug, and in a little while he 
moved as though new life were stirring within him. 

“Sire," said the priest, bending over him, “do you 
know who addresses you ? " 

“ Yes." 

“ Can you see now ?" 


66 


Rollo of Normandy , 


“Yes.'* So answered the king; but his look was 
fixed on vacancy. 

“ Have you any further message to leave V' 

“Yes — my son — where is he ?“ 

Again Rollo took his father's hand, and called him 
tenderly by name. 

“ Can you not see your boy ? O, my father, speak 
to me !" 

A moment the king remained motionless, and then, 
with a loud cry, he started up to a sitting posture. 
His hands were clasped ; his lips were apart ; and 
his eyes shone for a while with startling light. 

“ Ha !" he exclaimed, bending his gaze raptur- 
ously upon the vacant spot. “ I see him now ! I see 
him now ! Look — see how he strides amid the foe ! 
See how his bright blade flashes, and how the ranks 
of the opposer grow thin before it. Look ! See ! 
He meets the giant Wolfard ! Blow for blow, and 
shield to shield ! Clear away the dust ! O, blow 
ye winds, and waft away the cloud ! Ah — I see ! 
I see ! Ho, ho — the huge Dane falls ! But — my son 
— my son — where is he ? O, light ! light. Rollo, 
my boy, my brave, my noble boy, where art thou ?" 

“ Here — here,'' whispered the prince, winding his 
arm about his father's neck. “ I am here. Can you 
not see me ?'' 

“ Bless thee, Rollo ! Bless thee, noble boy ! Now 
— now — give me light !" 

The words were spoken in a low, hoarse whisper ; 
and the head of the monarch sank forward and 
rested upon the bosom of the prince. Not in this 
world was Thorstein to receive the light he sought. 


A Message Unspoken. 


67 


His stout heart was hushed, and the lips were closed 
in marble silence. Gently did Rollo lay the droop- 
ing head back upon the pillow ; and then he sank 
down upon his knees and wept in sorrow. 



1 



CHAPTER VI. 

FEAR AND TREMBLING. 

The sceptre of Normandy passed into Rollo’s 
hands without much ceremony. After the remains 
of Thorstein had been laid in the grave, and the 
season of mourning had expired, the people looked 
upon the son of their late king as their just and 
rightful ruler ; and they bowed most willingly to 
his will, for they knew that he was brave, and fit to 
be their leader. When Rollo first called upon the 
warriors of the realm for their oath of allegiance, 
there was not one tardy voice nor hesitating knee ; 
but all came to his standard, and swore to obey him 
while he conducted himself as became a king. Dur- 
ing one whole month the young monarch attended 
to only such business as was absolutely necessary, 
reserving to himself the right of passing so much 
time in calm retirement, out of respect to the mem- 
ory of his father. But even then the safety of his 
kingdom was not neglected. His warriors were 
within easy call, and he was ready to lead them at 
any moment of emergency. When the month had 
expired, he threw off the reserve, and went forth 
with his officers to show himself to the people, and 
also to offer up his adoration at the altar of the tern-. 


Fear and Trembling. 


69 


pie. It was the first time he had seen Thangbrand 
since the funeral ; and, in memory of the last offices 
which the priest had performed in honor of his dead 
father, he bowed at the altar, and received the 
priestly blessing. The voice of the far-seer sounded 
harshly upon his ears, but he bore it with a good 
grace. 

On the morning succeeding his first appearance in 
public as a king, Rollo paced to and fro in his cham- 
ber, busy with the one thought that gave him trouble. 
It was of Isis, the daughter of Diana. He knew 
that the prophecy of the far-seer had been made pub- 
lic ; but« how far his people might be influenced 
thereby he had no means of judging, as he had not 
seen fit to ask any questions upon the subject. 
However, the matter could not rest much longer ; 
and after mature deliberation, he determined to call 
upon Isis herself, and find how she looked upon it, 
and what her feelings were. To this end he called 
some of his attendants, and set forth upon his mis- 
sion. 

In a south-easterly direction from the town, dis- 
tant half-a-league, and a little way off from the path 
that led to the temple, in a quiet vale, surrounded 
by great trees, stood the cot of Diana ; and in the 
early morning the mistress was seated at her door, 
conversing with her daughter. 

Diana was a woman of middle-age — perhaps of 
fifty years — and upon her face the traces of beauty 
were yet distinct. She was not so tall as her daugh- 
ter, and between the two there was little resemblance. 
Her eyes were blue, and her hair had a golden hue 


70 


Rollo of Normandy, 


when the sunlight rested upon it. Her skin was fair, 
and upon her features, making them look thinner 
than they really were, rested a worn and weary 
expression. With her husband no one in Warvalla 
had ever been acquainted. She first appeared in the 
town when her daughter was a little child ; and it 
was then understood that her husband had fallen in 
battle with the Saxons. She was herself of Saxon 
blood ; but she followed the fortunes of her lord, 
and made her home with his people. 

As the mother and daughter thus sat at their door 
they were surprised by the appearance of a party 
of men approaching the cot. Presently, however, 
the party stopped, and one man alone came towards 
them, whom they recognized as the king ; where- 
upon they arose, and retired within their dwelling, 
leaving the door open. 

Rollo stood upon the door-stone, and greeted the 
hostess ; and she, with becoming respect, bade him 
enter. The greetings were short and simple, and 
then the youthful monarch directly introduced the 
object of his visit 

My good Diana," he said, if your vdts are 
clear this morning, I shall not astonish you when I 
announce my business. You know what strange 
prophecy the far-seer hath made." 

I know," replied Diana. 

It is of that I would speak." 

‘‘ Then, sire, I must beg that you will speak with 
my daughter. She is well advanced in years, and 
understands the matter better than I do." 

“ My mother," spoke Isis, with some show of 


Fear and Trembling. 


71 


resentment, ‘‘ I do surely understand the matter to 
which the king has alluded ; but you mistake when 
you say that I understand it better than you do. 
And I think you speak harshly when you mention 
the number of the years of your daughter’s life.'' 

Pardon me, Isis. I meant no offence. I thought 
not of the number of the years of your life, but of 
the years of your understanding." 

The mother spoke thus with marked deference to 
her child ; and it was plain to be seen that the 
parent was not the ruler in that household. 

Rollo saw all this with a cold shudder, and if he 
had felt no marked respect for Isis, he now felt a 
marked disrespect. A daughter who could harshly 
treat a mother so weak and kind, could have no 
fount of noble emotions. But he wished to heaf no 
more that did not concern him, so he turned to the 
maiden and addressed his speech to her : 

“ Lady, since thou art the party directly interested 
with me, it may be more fitting that we should 
confer together. Will it so please you ?" 

Isis bowed her head in token of assent. 

There is no need that I should explain what 
must be already known to you," pursued the king. 

You know the prophecy which the far-seer hath 
spoken ?" 

‘‘ Yes." 

“ Then we may understand each other. You 
came to my father’s bedside when he was dying, but 
no word was then spoken such as he may have 
intended to speak ; and I think we may proceed 
without trying to imagine what he would have said* 


72 


Rotlo of Normandy. 


I know that he desired me to take you for my wife ; 
and perhaps you were aware of the same thing ?” 

I was, sir,'* replied the maiden, with calm 
dignity. 

‘‘And a knowledge of that fact may have obtained 
further circulation.” 

“ I think it has, sir.” 

“ And yet,” pursued Rollo, fairly chilled by the 
freezing look, “that desire of my father was based 
upon a belief that none but the husband of Isis 
could hold the sceptre of Normandy. I have 
come to ask what you think of it.” 

“ I think not at all,” answered the maiden. 
“ When great Odin speaks, it becometh not his chil- 
dren to question.” 

“ Beware, my child,” interrupted Diana, in a sup- 
plicating tone. “ Remember with whom you speak.” 

“ I shall not need assistance,” retorted Isis, cast- 
ing upon her mother a withering look. 

Diana arose and moved away to a far corner of 
the room, where she turned her gaze out from a 
window. 

“ Do you expect,” said Rollo, “ that I shall take 
you for my wife? Have you based your plans upon 
the event of such a consummation ?” 

“ I have laid up no expectations ; nor have I 
formed any plans,” replied the dark-browed maiden. 
“ What the gods have planned needs not mortal aid 
to accomplish.” 

“Then I am to understand that you hold yourself 
in readiness to be my wife ?” 

“ If you would have me speak more plainly, I can 


Fear and Trembling, 


•73 


do so. The gods have declared that I should be the 
mother of a king, and that in my seed the royal 
line of Normandy should be established. Further- 
more, I have been instructed that I am not to refuse 
the hand of Rollo.'* 

“ How instructed T' 

‘‘ By the gods.** 

Did they speak to you 
Yes.** 

Directly ?** 

“As directly as the immortal may speak with the 
mortal. They spoke by the lips of their chosen 
prophet.** 

“ You heard the words from Thangbrand*s lips?** 

“ Yes.** 

What more could Rollo ask ? He had heard 
enough to assure him that the maiden was not only 
prepared to accept his hand, but that she looked 
upon herself as the legitimate mother of kings. The 
opportunity was a golden one to her, and she wished 
to grasp it. 

“ I thank you that you have spoken so frankly,’* 
said the young king, arising to his feet, “ for until 
now I have not known how you regarded the 
matter.** 

“ Sire,** returned Isis, also arising, “ I have spoken 
frankly, as became one who was dealing with a seri- 
ous subject, and I trust that you will not be indebted 
to me. I do not yet know how you regard this 
matter. I do not know what are your intentions.** 

“ Lady, I know not what reply to make. To me 
the question involves something more than the mere 


74 


Rollo of Normandy, 


holding of a sceptre. I must take time to consider. 
Since I know your feelings, I shall be better able to 
judge.** 

“ I know not,** said Isis, in a devout tone, ‘‘ how I 
can judge for myself, when the judgment of heaven 
is given me for a guide. Had it been given to my 
choice to choose a throne, or to remain in my quiet 
cot, I might not so readily have accepted the cares 
and burdens of exalted station. But no such choice 
has been mine ; I simply obey the direction of the 
gods.** 

‘‘I have your answer,** replied Rollo, ‘‘and in due 
time you shall have mine. Until then, I leave you 
with my thanks.** 

Thus speaking, the youthful monarch turned from 
the cot, and as he approached his attendants he made 
a motion for them to go on in advance. He was sick 
at heart and oppressed. When he thought of Isis his 
feelings were full of disgust, and when he called to 
mind the words which she had spoken, his soul 
rebelled. Could he give up the fair and virtuous 
Clotilda, with all the love and devotion of his inner- 
most being, and unite himself with the dark-featured, 
repulsive daughter of Diana ? What were all the 
thrones of earth if they must be purchased at the 
expense of all earth*s joys and comforts ? What to 
him was the sceptre of Normandy, if he must rule in 
misery and self-abasement ? 

And yet it was not an easy matter to resolve 
against the prophecy. He would take time to con- 
sider, and so he tried to throw off the present burden, 
forgetting that it could be no lighter when he should 


Fear and Trembling, 


75 


be called upon to take it up again. He returned to 
the castle, where he found some relief in the dis- 
charge of his royal duties. 

That evening the moon arose bright and full, cast- 
ing a soft, mellow light over town and forest, and 
throwing upon the rippling waters a shower of sil- 
very beams that vied with the stars above in spark- 
ling lustre. 

But why this strange darkening of night’s glorious 
orb ? What means the black curtain that is being 
gradually drawn over the beaming face of the moon ? 
How dark it grows, and what sombre shadows fall 
upon the land ! The evil spirits are abroad, or else 
great Odin is in wrath ! 

The men and women flock forth to view the won- 
drous spectacle, and terror seizes upon them. The 
moon is already more than half gone, and the sable 
cloud is increasing upon it. In sore affright they 
bethink them of the temple, and hither they crowd, 
a trembling, quaking multitude. The priest is at the 
altar already to receive them, having heard their 
approach, and divined the cause of their coming. 
The moon is now three-quarters gone, as though so 
much of the bright orb had been stricken from the 
heavens. 

‘‘What does it signify?” was the inquiry of the 
people. 

“ Its signification hath been revealed to me,” replied 
the priest. “ Listen : This day your king hath, in his 
heart, set at defiance the will of our god !” 

From the swaying multitude arose another ques- 


76 


Rollo of Normandy. 


tion, put in many forms, but aiming at the same 
result. 

Thus it is,'' cried the priest in a loud voice : It 
was the will of Odin, made known to Thorstein, and 
also made known to Rollo, and by Thorstein directly 
urged upon his son, that Isis, the daughter of Diana, 
should be the mother of the coming line of Norman 
kings. This distinction was fixed upon Isis, because 
she was particularly favored of the gods. In her 
doth heaven repose the salvation of our people from 
ruin and degradation." 

“ Aye, aye, we know all that," cried the foremost 
of the multitude. ‘‘ It hath been told to us how Odin 
did point out Isis, but what hath the king doqe ?" 

^‘Aye," echoed those in the rear, what hath our 
king done ? Why is heaven being darkened ?" 

‘‘Because," replied Thangbrand, “your* king hath 
disobeyed the gods. In his heart he hath planned 
that he will not marry with' Isis. This very morn- 
ing he saw her, when she told him that she was pre- 
pared to obey the command of heaven ; he turned 
from her, and went his way with thoughts of another 
maiden in his heart whom his lust hath desired. 
It gives me pain and anguish to speak thus ; but I 
must give you the speech which the gods have 
spoken to me." 

As the voice of the priest was swallowed up in 
the murmurs of the multitude, the last faint line of 
the moon was darkened, and utter gloom rested 
upon its face. Presently a cry of fear and terror 
arose, and the affrighted people called aloud upon 
their priest to avert the terrible calamity if he could. 


Fear and Trembling, 


11 


you will be silent,” he said, I will intercede 
with the gods.” 

In a moment the words were conveyed from lip 
to lip, and the vast throng became still. Thang- 
brand caused a fire to be lighted upon the altar, and 
j when the blaze flared up so that his person was dis- 
[tinctly visible to all present, he clasped his hands 
upon his head, and commenced to sway to and fro. 
After a time he was thrown to the ground, where he 
lay, in seeming convulsions, until the altar fire had 
nearly expired. Then succeeded a few moments of 
rest, and finally he arose to his feet. 

“ Behold,” he cried, pointing to the heavens, ‘‘ the 
gods answer my supplication. Great Odin will 
spare his children yet awhile longer ; but the 
youthful king must tempt him no more. The word 
hath been spoken touching Isis, and most terrible 
disaster shall follow a further refusal to obey. My 
children, I will plead with heaven ; but the power to 
avert the doom is with your king !” 

While all this had been transpiring at the temple, 
Rollo was in his own private apartment, wrapped in a 
meditation so profound that the noise of the moving 
populace had not disturbed him. He had noticed 
the darkening of the moon, and from his window 
he had watched the creeping on of the shadow ; but 
it had not frightened him. He had just turned from 
the casement, and was upon the point of calling 
his attendant, when the sound of distant tumult fell 
upon his ear, and presently afterwards, Thorwald, 
the old lieutenant, came rushing into his presence. 


78 


Rollo of Normandy. 


“ How now, Thorwald ! What starts so fearfully 
from thy heart ?’* 

Sire, your people are sore afraid.” The lieuten- 
ant spoke breathlessly, showing that he had been 
running. 

Afraid of what ?” 

‘‘ Have you not noticed the darkening of the 
moon ?” 

Yes.” 

‘‘That, sire, gave them sore distress.” 

“ I wonder not, good Thorwald, for they are 
ignorant of the laws which govern the heavenly 
bodies. I have watched the shadow with deepest 
interest. I cannot explain its cause ; but I know 
that it hath no more wonder in its occurrence than 
hath the setting of the sun. The moon hath been 
this night darkened to many thousands beside our- 
selves. The Saxon hath been visited with the 
shadow ; and so hath the Dane, and the Viking, and 
the Gaul, and the Roman.” 

“But, sire, your people do not know this. They 
think the gods are angry with them. Hark ! Did 
you hear that shout ? Do you mark the swelling 
tumult ?” 

“ By the gods, Thofwald, the people must be 
mad.” 

“ Aye, sire, — and their madness turns upon your- 
self.” 

“ Ha ! Upon myself ?” 

“Yes; and for that have I come to warn thee. 
They have been to the temple ; and the priest hath 
shown to them that this darkening of the moon is a 


Fear and Trembling. 


79 


warning froni Odin that the king hath set at defiance 
the will of high heaven/' 

“ In mercy's name, my good Thorwald, what mean 
you ?" 

‘‘ Do you not understand ? You have turned 
away in disdain from Isis, the daughter of Diana. 
Thangbrand hath declared that the gods will not 
relent until Isis is raised to the royal throne. If you 
raise her of your own accord, it may be done peace- 
fully; but if you refuse, and the gods do the work 
themselves, the scene shall be one of such terror as 
was never yet witnessed. This the people believe, 
and they will not rest until you make them secure. 
I have hurried on to give you warning, that you 
might be prepared. Hark ! They are at the gates 
of the castle. O, sire, you cannot hesitate." 

‘‘And will they do violence to their king?" 
demanded Rollo. 

“ By my life, royal master, you should know them 
as well as I. In battle they are as brave as the 
bravest ; and under the excitement of such terror as 
is now upon them, they can be like the wild beast 
of the forest." 

“ But you, Thorwald — you do not share in this 
superstitious dread ?" 

“Ah, sire," replied the lieutenant, shaking his 
head, “ I am a child of Odin, and I would not wish 
to disobey him. If you would save your throne, lis- 
ten to your people, for they will not be comforted 
while their god is incensed." 

Even as Thorwald spoke, the tramp of many feet 


8o 


Rollo of Normandy, 


sounded in the court, and directly afterwards the 
clamor of voices arose upon the air. 

‘‘ O, sire, beware that you do not give them cause 
for greater dread.’* 

‘‘And to satisfy them I must marry with Isis ?” 

“ Yes — they come — refuse them not. I prom- 
ised thy father that I would stand by thee, and 
uphold thee while I had the power ; but I cannot 
forsake my people; nor can I turn against the gods. 
Listen to me : Take Isis to the throne, and all 
may be well. So much your subjects will demand.” 

“Would to heaven they came to demand my life 
instead !” uttered the youthful monarch, clasping 
his hands upon his bosom, and leaning back against 
the wall. “ This foul priest hath — ” 

“Beware, sire ! Let no such word from your lips 
reach other ears. You are beside yourself. Ha ! — 
They come. Have a care !” 




CHAPTER VII. 

ODIN IS IN DANGER OF LOSING A DISCIPLE. 

Rollo had but a single moment for thought, and 
yet during that moment his thought may have been 
as effective as could have been the result of longer 
deliberation. Almost as Thorwald spoke the door 
of the apartment was thrown open, and an excited 
crowd came pouring in. They came as men fleeing 
from mortal danger, holding no consideration of 
respect for the place wherein they stood. Their 
leader was a stout Norman captain, named Lamac. 
He was a middle-aged man, dark and heavy of fea- 
ture, with a I0W5 broad brow, and who had been 
chiefly respected in Warvalla for the number of 
bloody trophies he had gathered from various battle- 
fields. 

The presence of such a crowd, under ordinary cir- 
cumstances, would have excited the young king to 
anger beyond degree, but the effect on the present 
occasion was to subdue his passions and render him 
calm and cool. He could not be justly offended with 
them, for they had cause of alarm, and he would not 
fear them. If he had any particular cause for doubt- 


82 


Rollo of Normandy . 


ing the good faith and loyalty of the captain, he did 
not suffer it to be manifest. 

“ Lamac,” he said, as though he were astonished 
by the intrusion, “ what means this disturbance ?” 

“ Sire, do you not know ?” replied Lamac, in a 
loud, excited tone. “ Have you not seen the moon 
refuse to give her light to Warvalla ? The gods are 
angry, and our destruction is threatened. We have 
come from the temple, where Thangbrand hath 
averted the danger for a season, but we are not safe 
while our king sets at defiance the will of great 
Odin." 

“ Good Lamac, wherein have I done that thing ?" 

Was it not ordained by the oracle that you should 
marry with Isis ?" 

“ It was spoken by the lips of the priest that Isis 
should be the mother of a king," returned RollOo 

“ Aye," cried the captain ; ‘‘ and how shall she be 
the mother of Norman kings except she marry with 
the king ? Such was the intent of the gods, who saw 
in Isis one destined to rear up her children in the 
faith of our fathers. By marrying with the daughter 
of Diana you obey the will of the gods, and the plans 
of heaven may be peacefully consummated ; but if 
you refuse the hand of the chosen maiden, Odin will 
accomplish his purpose through such calamity upon 
our people as never yet was seen." 

Aye," echoed several voices, ‘‘ calamity overhangs 
Warvalla. Our king must marry with Isis." 

It was the command of your father that you 
should marry with Isis," said Lamac, with unblush- 
ing boldness. Thorstein knew the power and the 


Danger of Losing a Disciple. 83 


purpose of great Odin, and he loved his people, and 
he commanded his son that the directions of heaven 
should be obeyed. You must marry with the 
daughter of Diana.*' 

Do you come to dictate?’* cried the king. 

“ No — not to dictate, but to remind the king of 
his duty,** replied Lamac, with a calmness that 
recalled Rollo to his senses. 

“ I think the king knows his duty already,** said 
the youth, and if you wait with patience you shall 
see him perform it. I have not refused to marry 
with Isis.** 

‘‘ Did you not turn from her this morning ?** 

Not with refusal. I went to see how she regarded 
the thing which had been spoken by the oracle, and 
when I found that she was prepared to accept my 
hand, I turned away for consideration. I am not 
ready to marry yet. My father’s body has but just 
been laid to rest, and while the memory of his death 
is fresh in Warvalla, I cannot awake the air with 
sound of nuptial revelry. Let a foe appear upon 
our coast, and you shall find your king ready to lead 
you on to victory, but I must ask a respite from this 
marriage.” 

A few of those present, including their spokesman, 
were inclined to resist all appeal to forbearance, but 
the majority of them were touched by the manner of 
their youthful monarch, and plainly showed a will- 
ingness to wait. The memory of his brave deeds 
was fresh upon them, and they were as easily moved 
to love him as they had been moved to fear the wrath 


84 


Rollo of Normandy. 


of the gods. Rollo saw all this, and immediately 
added : 

Push me not at present. Our interests are the 
same, and I have your good very near to my thoughts. 
If I had faith that my life was the price of Norman 
weal, I would yield it up most willingly.*' 

Do you not have faith in the saying of the 
gods ?’* asked Lamac. 

“ It is not for you to question your king on that 
subject," said Rollo. 

I would not question the king insultingly. I 
speak for the safety of our people.*' 

‘‘ We will wait,** said one of those who were ten- 
derly disposed. 

‘‘ Aye, we will wait," responded many others. 

“ We can wait,'* added Lamac, moving backward 
towards the door, but we must have the assurance 
that our waiting shall be of some avail, else the 
wrath of heaven will come more heavily upon us.** 

My friends and brothers," spoke the king, 
entreatingly, ** I ask you to wait two short weeks. 
Give me until then for repose and reflection.** 

Lamac bowed his head and turned from the cham- 
ber, and the rest followed him out. 

‘‘ Sire,** said Thorwald, when the king and the 
lieutenant were left alone, what have you gained 
by this delay T' 

I have gained rest, good Thorwald." 

‘*It is a rest which can do you no good. Your 
people were willing to grant your request, for they 
remember how you saved them from the bloody 
Dane, but when they are brought to dread the wrath 


Danger of Losing a Disciple. 85 


of the gods, they will respect no person who casts 
the danger upon them. Lamac is not from choice 
your enemy, but he is cruel and uncompromising, 
and if you give him occasion, he will hunt you even 
to the death.** 

‘‘I know him,** said Rollo, musingly. 

‘‘ Then you should know how to dread his influ- 
ence.** 

‘‘ But my people will not follow him.** 

Ah, sire, you forget the one point upon which all 
this turns. If you give your hand in marriage to the 
daughter of Diana, you will not have even Lamac*s 
enmity ; but if you refuse the bond, then your people 
will arise against you. Why should you hesitate ? 
Surely you have no desire to tempt further the wrath 
of heaven. If you have such a disposition, then I 
tell you plainly you have to fear the wrath of your 
subjects.** 

Rollo took a turn across the chamber, and when 
he came back he asked his lieutenant to let the mat- 
ter rest for the present. 

^ ‘‘Sire,** cried Thorwald, “I will speak this one 
word, and then leave you to your rest. If you care 
for your life, there is no escape from the purpose of 
the oracle.** 

“ I am glad you speak your mind plainly, good 
Thorwald. And now I wish thee a comforting 
rest.** 

After the lieutenant had gone the young king 
went to the window, and when he looked up into the 
heavens, he saw the moon shining as bright and full 
as ever. 


86 


Rollo of Normandy . 


“ I wish I could read the laws of the heavenly 
bodies/* he murmured to himself. I wish I could 
teach my people that these seemingly wondrous 
signs are but the result of movements which no deed 
of mortals can influence. I think good Hildegunna 
is right. There is but one God, and he is all wise 
and all powerful. He made the earth, and he made 
the moon, and he made the sun and stars, and he 
governs all things, and into the hands of wicked men 
he puts no heavenly power.’* 

A little while after having thus spoken he remained 
at the window, and then he turned away and left the 
chamber. In an adjoining apartment he armed him- 
self with his sword and a light spear, and was soon 
in the open air. It was now past midnight ; the 
populace had retired to their dwellings, and all was 
calm and still, and having left the castle court by a 
private way, the king bent his steps towards the cot 
of Hildegunna. When he reached the quiet habita- 
tion he found Olaf upon guard at the door, who met 
him with presented spear. 

Pardon, sire,** said the bondman, withdrawing 
his weapon. 

‘‘You are vigilant, Olaf. Has there been danger 
here, that you are so ready with your spear ?** 

“We have heard the noise of the frightened multi- 
tude, sire, and have hence been more eager in our 
watch, but no new danger hath been threatened 
here.** 

“ Do you know what frightened the people ?** 
“Yes, my lord. It was the darkening of the 
moon.** 


Danger of Losing a Disciple. 87 


“And did it not frighten you V 

“ No, sire. My mistress assured me that there was 
no danger.” 

At this point Clotilda, who had heard Rollons 
voice, came to the door, and the king followed her 
into the house. 

“ You are up late, sweet love,” he said, when they 
had reached an inner apartment, where a lamp was 
burning. 

“ I am up late,” she replied. “ I could not sleep — 
I dared not.” 

“ Dared not ?” 

“ I dared not, my lord, for something told me that 
you would be here.” 

“ You are sad, Clotilda.” 

“Yes, my lord, — I have cause for sadness.” 

“ Come, come, love, — sit thee down, and let us 
speak freely. Perhaps I can divine the cause to 
which you allude. At any rate, I have come hither 
to-night determined to conceal nothing. Since my 
father died I have kept from you the subject that 
has given me pain ; but I can do it no longer. You 
have heard the disturbance among our people ?” 

“ Yes, my lord.” 

“ And you know the occasion of it ?” 

“ The occasion thereof,” said the maiden, after a 
little reflection, “ was the strange darkening of the 
moon.” 

“ Yes, my love ; but there was something more 
than that.” 

“ I know it, sire. It has all been told to me. I 
know that in the time to come I can be nothing to 


88 


Rollo of Normandy. 


thee. I know it all ; and I am prepared to bow to 
the decision.'" 

“ What is that decision ?" asked Rollo, taking 
Clotilda's hand, and gazing earnestly into her face* 

“ That you shall marry with Isis, the daughter of 
Diana." 

“Aye — and who, do you think, hath made that 
decision ?" 

“ That is not for me to say, my lord." 

“ But you can tell me what you think." 

“ No, sire ; do not press me for an answer. It is 
enough for me to know that the people of Nor- 
mandy have faith that their gods have given direc- 
tions for the marriage of their king. And, dear 
Rollo — if I may once more address thee by that 
name — let me say one other thing : The deep love 
which I have borne thee, and which I bear thee still, 
and which I must bear thee while I live, leads me to 
bow willingly to this sad necessity. Since your 
people believe that the safety of Normandy depends 
upon obedience to the oracle, it matters little what 
I believe. Your success, as King of Normandy, 
stands foremost in the rank of your duties ; and, 
should you disappoint your people, it might be worse 
for both of us." 

“ But, Clotilda, suppose I chose to give up the 
throne ?" 

“ You cannot do it." 

“Why not ?" 

“Your warriors would not allow it." 

“ But I can flee." 

“ Alas, Rollo, you have not even that resort. No, 


Danger of Losing a Disciple, 89 


no — since the fates have stricken asunder the bonds 
which we had fondly hoped were to unite us, let us 
bow as resignedly as possible." 

Ah, sweet love, you are speaking for my com- 
fort. Are you resigned ? Can you give up the old 
love so easily ?" 

No, no, no, — I said that I could never give it 
up. But if your good demands a sacrifice, I can 
make it, even though that sacrifice be my life." 

“ Noble, generous girl ! Precious jewel of my 
heart ! It shall not be. No, no, — no power of earth 
shall separate us." 

“ But, my lord," spoke the maiden, with her head 
bowed down, the people of Normandy believe 
the power of heaven is manifest in the edict." 

And do you believe it, Clotilda?" 

Sire, you do wrong to question my daughter 
thus." It was Hildegunna who spoke. She had 
advanced from her own apartment, and now stood 
by the lovers. 

The king arose from his seat and extended his 
hand to the widow. 

‘‘ Good mother," he said, in reverential tone, ‘‘ the 
question I have asked must be answered — answered 
for my sake ; and since thou art here, my question 
shall be turned to thee. And now tell me : Do you 
believe that the speech of the far-seer was the word 
of Odin ?" 

** My son," replied Hildegunna, seating herself 
as she spoke, ‘‘ you have heard me speak enough to 
know what my faith is. My mother was a Saxon, 
and a Christian ; and for the peace of my own soul 


90 


Rollo of Normandy. 


I cherish the faith she gave me. My child is also a 
Christian ; and in this she has never deceived you, 
though she has not intruded her faith upon you. 
One reason why I chose this secluded spot for our 
home was, that we might enjoy our faith without 
offending others. For us there is one Great God — 
the Creator, the Father, and the Preserver of all 
things : and by his Son, Jesus Christ, he sent His 
gospel into the world. To the one living and true 
God we lift our souls in devout adoration ; and in 
the saving grace of our Saviour, Christ, we hope- 
fully repose our trust. This Great God is from ever- 
lasting to everlasting, without beginning, and with- 
out end. From him sprang everything that is, and 
to him are all things subject. As the soul lifts 
itself towards him the atmosphere becomes purer 
and brighter, and heart and tongue unite in praise 
and thanksgiving.'* 

“ Then what is Thangbrand ?" asked Rollo, in a 
low, tremulous whisper. 

Thangbrand is a priest of Odin, and the far-seer 
of Warvalla,” replied the widow. 

“ But I mean not that. You do not answer me. 
Is Thangbrand a prophet ?" 

“ Sire, you should not ask me such a question." 

Fear not to answer me, good mother. Here, in 
the solitude of the forest, and in the sacred retreat 
of your home, the secrets of which shall not be 
betrayed, I ask you to answer me. What is Thang- 
brand ?" 

My son, thus far will I speak : The Almighty 
God is all-wise, all-good, and all-merciful ; and his 


Danger of Losing a Disciple, 


9 ^ 


only laws, given to men, are for their government in 
upright and moral life, and love and worship of 
himself. He sent his Son, Jesus Christ, to suffer 
death upon the cross that sinful men might be 
saved. In the light of such a faith, how stands such 
a being as Thangbrand ?" 

‘‘ As a vile impostor cried the youthful king, 
smiting his hand upon his knee. I have no con- 
fidence in him ; and, moreover, I feel a strange yearn- 
ing after a knowledge of the God whom you so con- 
fidently and devoutly worship." 

Ah, my son," said Hildegunna, with a mournful 
shake of the head, the people of Normandy will not 
allow you to depart from the faith of Odin." 

‘‘Was not Odin once a man .^" demanded Rollo. 
“ Did he not fight in battle, as I have fought ?" 

“ So says your history," replied the widow. 

“ And can he be, then, the highest God ?" 

“Why ask me that ? I see the trouble which must 
be met by the rational and thinking mind in pursu- 
ing the doctrines taught by the priests of Odin ; and 
when once you allow yourself to question any part 
of the faith, the whole fabric must fall to the ground. 
But ask me no more. Thy fate is in the hands of 
the people, and them we cannot convince. They 
have full faith in the far-seer, and they will demand 
an obedience to the prophecy. In time to come, 
when you are safe upon your throne, if you seek 
further knowledge of the Christian faith, I will 
answer you as I can ; but I dare not give words to 
influence you now." 

Thus speaking, Hildegunna arose, and left the 


92 


Rollo of Normandy. 


apartment ; and directly afterwards Rollo also arose 
and took Clotilda by the hand. 

Sweet love/' he said, in a low, decisive tone, with 
firm lip and steadfast eye, I have not yet given thee 
up. Would you risk life for my sake?" 

Aye," replied the maiden, resting her hand upon 
his shoulder. For thy sake my life is held." 

‘‘ Then we will not yet despair. Sooner than lose 
thee I would relinquish my throne ; but I may not 
be forced to do either. Wait a little while and I 
shall know what to do." 

Clotilda would have persuaded the king to 
beware of the step he meditated ; but he would not 
listen. He was too deeply in love to relinquish her ; 
and he was too proud of spirit to bow to what he 
believed to be the foul plottings of a false and per- 
jured priest. 

As Rollo pursued his way homeward through the 
forest, his attention was several times arrested by 
what seemed to be the sound of footsteps near him ; 
but when he stopped to listen, he could hear nothing 
out of the way, and his closest examination revealed 
no enemy. He fancied that some wild beast might 
be tramping near his path. 



CHAPTER VIII. 

CONSULTATIONS AT THE TEMPLE. 

On the morning following the darkening of the 
moon the people of Warvalla were early astir, and 
many of them went out to the temple to inquire of 
Thangbrand if the dread calamity was averted. The 
priest answered them readily and kindly ; but his 
answers were blind and uncertain. He professed to 
hope for the best ; and yet he could give no assur- 
ance. He said that Odin had been with him once 
during the night, and that some further directions 
had been given. 

All is in the hands of your king,"' he told them. 

And it is hoped that he will not bring wrath upon 
his people. But he is not to be hastily judged. It 
is the will of heaven that he have a reasonable time 
for reflection. Let him rest for the time which you 
granted him. In two weeks he must give you an 
answer.*' 

‘‘And suppose," questioned one of the people, 
“that, even then our king will not marry with Isis?" 

“ I dare not suppose it," replied the priest. “ I 
shall pray constantly that the powers of heaven may 


94 


Rollo of Normandy. 


avert such a dread alternative. I dare not tell you 
what the result would be to Normandy.’* 

With deep apprehensions of some impending 
calamity the citizens of Warvalla returned to the 
town, where the strange events were talked over 
anew. Many spoke favoringly of their youthful 
ruler, and there seemed to be a desire in most bosoms 
to grant him all possible excuse ; but yet it was evi- 
dent that only a slight spark would be needed to 
kindle a fire of fear and excitement that could be 
quenched only in blood. 

One man alone, of the Norman warriors, remained 
at the temple after the priest had finished his speech. 
It was Lamac, the dark-browed captain. He re- 
mained standing by a large oak tree, partly con- 
cealed by the surrounding shrubbery, until all others 
had gone, and then he advanced to the altar, where 
Thangbrand still stood. 

“ Ah, Lamac, I am glad you are here, for in your 
calm wisdom I have much confidence. Let us retire 
to my cave, that we may be away from the scorching 
rays of the sun.” 

This cave, to which allusion has already been made, 
had the appearance of being a porch cut into the 
face of the solid rock. Beyond it there was an inner 
apartment, secured by a door of brass. What was 
within this second recess was known only to the 
priest. It was taught to the people that the gods 
placed the brazen door in its place, and that Thor 
took up his abode in the mountain at certain seasons 
of the year. When the lightning flashed in the 
heavens, and the deep thunder pealed o’er the earth, 


Consultations at the 7\mple. 


95 


it was believed that Thor had come forth to play 
with the" elements. He who should dare to profane 
the sacred door with his touch could not live to 
repeat the experiment. So Lamac, on the present 
occasion, sat down near the outer entrance, being 
fearful of tempting the wrath of Odin's mightiest 
son. 

“ Good Lamac," commenced the priest, when they 
were both seated, you were with the king last 
night ?" 

I was," replied the captain ; “ and I followed your 
instructions as well as I was able. I marked well 
the manner of the king, and I determined that he 
was weak and wavering. He seeks time, but he does 
not mean to be just and truthful." 

Ah, — why think ye so ?" 

** When we left the castle he promised us that he 
would consider well upon his duty, and I think he 
meant to have us put away our fears. I did not 
retire to my dwelling, as did the rest, but remained 
to keep watch. When all was still and quiet I saw 
the king come out from the court by a secret way, 
and start off towards the northern headland. I fol- 
lowed him to the cot of Hildegunna, and saw him 
enter there. I should have drawn near and listened 
to his conversation ; but he has posted guards about 
the premises, so the thing was impossible. He 
remained at the cot an hour or more, and then 
returned." 

‘‘ Lamac," said the priest, with his hands folded 
together, and his lips firmly compressed, this 


96 


Rollo of Normandy. 


daughter of Hildegunna is the cause of all the 
trouble. Do you know the secret of her power ?” 

“ I can think/' replied Lamac. 

‘‘And what do you think ?" 

“ I think the king is deeply in love with her." 

“ Does it appear reasonable to your senses, 
Lamac, that the king of Normandy, the son of bold 
Thorstein, should be willing to sacrifice his throne 
and bring ruin upon his people, merely from the love 
for a simple maiden ?" 

“It is wonderful, sir priest ; but what else can you 
make of it ?" * 

“ The people of Warvalla are blind. They do not 
know that Hildegunna turns away from the worship 
of Odin, and that her knee bends to a strange god." 

“I have heard something of this," said Lamac. 

“And," pursued Thangbrand, “ the daughter fol- 
lows the mother in the recreant path. Through the 
agency of fiendish spells, and by the help of dark 
spirits they have produced a fatal enchantment 
upon the king. Do you not see it now ?" 

“ Aye," responded Lamac, with a look of deep 
concern, “ I see it very plainly. But cannot the 
spell be broken ? Hath not Odin power to break the 
enchantment ? Will not great Thor, from his abode 
of clouds, send down some bolt of thunder to rend 
the fatal bond ?" 

“ My son, you mistake the will of heaven. Great 
Odin seeks no forced obedience from his children. 
If force is to be used, it must come from the sons of 
earth." 


Consultations at the Temple, 


97 


“ But force may save us from this calamity/' said 
Lamac. 

“ Certainly," replied the far-seer ; “ and by those 
who are likely to suffer it may be used with propri- 
ety." 

‘‘Suppose," pursued the captain, “ we could carry 
away the daughter of Hildegunna ?" 

“It must be done !" pronounced the priest ; “and 
it must be done quickly and surely ; and it must be 
done secretly. You said there were guards posted 
at the widow's cot ?" 

“Yes ; but they can be overcome, if necessary. In 
a case like this, where the welfare of a whole people 
is concerned, the killing of a few guards will matter 
little." 

“You are right, Lamac ; and I think you are the 
man to do the work." 

“I can easily take the maiden from her home," 
said the captain ; “ but what shall I do with her after 
that ?" 

The priest sat, with his hands upon his knees, and 
his chin upon his bosom. By and by he looked up, 
and even the dark-browed w’arrior was startled by the 
expression that flashed in those two black, deep-set 
eyes. 

“ I think," said the far-seer, “ that there was once 
a slave in Hildegunna's family named Gorm — a 
Dane, whom Kodran took in battle." 

“ Yes," answered Lamac ; “ I remember it well." 

“ Since Kodran's death," continued Thangbrand, 
“ this Gorm has been turned out from his old 
home ?" 


98 


Rollo of Normandy. 


‘‘Yes/' said the captain ; “the circumstances are 
fresh in my memory. The slave grossly insulted 
Hildegunna, and she sold him to the fishermen who 
live by the mouth of the great river." 

“ I think this slave would be a safe man for 
the work of effectually removing Hildegunna’s 
daughter !" 

Lamac shuddered at the picture which the sug- 
gestion presented to his mind. 

“ We must not hesitate at the character of the 
means," added Thangbrand, who noticed the emo- 
tion of his visitor. “ It is the end we seek — the end 
of saving Normandy from ruin. The maiden is in 
the way. She is not, to us, an object of sympathy, 
but the instrument of foul enchanters. Place her 
in the hands of Gorm, and give him liberty to bear 
her away to some distant land, and she will give 
us no more trouble." 

“ I sec it,'" replied Lamac ; “ and so it shall be 
done." 

“Remember," added the priest, “great Odin 
smiles upon the deed which frees our king from the 
snare that now entangles him. And further still : the 
people of Normandy shall ble^s the doer of the 
deed." 

“ It shall be done," said the captain, firmly. 

“ When shall it be done ?" 

“As soon as I can make suitable arrangements. I 
can find men enough to help me, if I may command 
them by your authority." 

“You may do that, Lamac. Tell them that it is 
so commanded, and so ordained of heaven." 


Consultations at the Temple. 


99 


Lamac left the temple to prepare for the mission 
he had pledged himself to perform. He had full 
faith in the mystic power of the priest, for his own 
brutish nature was low enough to look up with 
reverence to anything which professed to be of 
Odin. And, furthermore, he had no great love for 
Rollo, nor for the widow of Kodran. A morbid love 
of excitement was his ruling passion, and the feeling 
of sympathy seldom came to interrupt its gratifica- 
tion. 

Lamac had not been gone from the temple a great 
while before Isis made her appearance. The priest 
saw her as she approached, and at once led her into 
the cave. 

“ How fares it with my daughter this morning ?” 
said Thangbrand, as he motioned the dark-eyed 
maiden to a seat. 

I am well in body,*’ she replied ; but how fares 
it otherwise I have come hither to learn.” 

Otherwise I hope you fare well enough, Isis. 
The king may hold back for a while, but he must 
finally surrender. His people will not allow him to 
depart from you.” 

“ If it is true, as has been spoken by Odin, that 
I am to be the mother of Norman kings, I should 
think Rollo would yield at once. I am not deeply 
in love with him, but I bow to the will of heaven.” 

And for your ready obedience, my child, heaven 
will reward you. Many of the people were with the 
king last night, and they have granted him two 
weeks for repose. I am sorry so much time has been 
given him ; but we must make the best of it.” 


lOO 


Rollo of Normandy. 


I see not the use of such delay/' said Isis, rather 
impatiently. ‘‘ Why should Rollo be thus humored?” 
She spoke as though she were invested with author- 
ity. In fact, she seemed to feel that the edict of the 
gods had already made her greater than the king. 

“ The delay can do no harm,” remarked Thang- 
brand. 

‘‘ And yet,” added the maiden, “ it may subject 
me to unpleasant trouble.” 

“ How so, my child ?” 

My mother seems inclined to oppose the whole 
thing.” 

What !” exclaimed the priest, with a start. 
‘‘ You speak without thought, Isis.” 

‘‘ No, seer-father, I speak as I think from reason. 
My mother does not like the prospect before us.” 

‘‘ But why ? What does she say ?” 

“She shakes her head when I speak of the king, 
and groans as though in suffering. When I ask her 
what she means, she says she fears all is not for the 
best.” 

“ Does she say no more than that ?” asked the 
priest, eagerly. “ Does she not give you some clue 
to her meaning ?” 

“ No more than I have told you. I can ^only 
gather that she is opposed to my marriage with the 
king. She seems to feel as though heaven sought 
some revenge upon her in this thing.” 

“ She is crazy,” said Thangbrand. He arose and 
paced up and down the cell several times ; and when 
he stopped his eyes once more flashed out that fear- 
ful gleam which had so startled the stout captain. 


Constellations at the Temple, 


lOT 


But it did not startle the maiden. She was sup- 
ported upon the belief that she was the favorite of 
the gods, and no look of the far-seer could move her 
with fear. 

She is crazy !” the priest repeated, smiting his 
hands together. But, Isis, I would have you con- 
sider well. You need not push your mother with 
questions ; and yet you may lead her to speak again 
upon the subject, and pay particular attention to her 
words. Be so sure of what she says that you can 
repeat to me her language.*’ 

Isis promised obedience ; and shortly afterwards 
took her leave. When she reached home she found 
her mother engaged in spinning. 

You have been to the temple, my child,” said 
Diana, laying her distaff upon a stool near her. 

Yes, mother.” 

^‘And I suppose Thangbrand told you of the 
trouble among our people last night ?” 

“Yes.” 

“ Did he tell you how it should be settled ?” 

“ It can be settled in but one way,” replied Isis. 
“When the king gives me his hand, all shall be 
well.” 

“ But how is it with the king ? Does he show a 
disposition to yield ?” 

“ Not fully. They have granted him two weeks 
for consideration.” 

Diana folded her hands upon her knees, and bowed 
her head. By and by she looked up, and in a low, 
eager tone said : 


102 


Rollo of N 07 n 7 taiidy . 


‘‘ My daughter, there is one way in which this mat- 
ter can be safely arranged.’* 

“ Speak, my mother.” 

The widow hesitated a long time ; and when she 
finally replied, her voice was tremulous with emo- 
tion : 

‘‘ Isis — do you long for the place to which the 
priest has pointed ?” 

I do not understand you,” said the maiden. 

My question was plain. Do you desire, for any 
comfort or peace of your own, or for the gratifica- 
tion of love, the hand of the king in marriage ?” 

I desire to obey the will of heaven,” replied Isis, 
with abruptness. 

Do you know that you have heard the will of 
heaven ?” 

How ? Do you dare to doubt the far-seer ? 
What means that question ?” 

“Pardon me, my daughter, I do not mean harm. 
O, I have faith in heaven !” 

“ Then why do you question its decrees ?” 

“I do not.” 

“ But you did.” 

“ Everything is not of heaven that claims the 
name, my child. But say no more now. Let me 
recover myself.” 

“You must not forbid my asking a simple ques- 
tion,” persisted Isis, firmly, and with a slight show 
of authority. “You have hinted that there might 
be a mistake somewhere. Do you imagine that 
Thangbrand can be mistaken ?” 

“I don’t know, my child.” 


Consultations at the Temple. J03 


“ But you know what your opinion is.” 

Heaven have mercy !” ejaculated the widow ; 
and before her daughter could prevent, she arose 
and left the apartment. 

That very evening Isis went out to the temple 
and told the priest what her mother had said. 
Thangbrand listened attentively ; and the fearful 
fire gleamed again in his eyes. What he meant he 
did not say ; nor did he ask many questions. He 
thanked the maiden for her intelligence ; and when 
she had departed, he retired beyond the brazen 
door. 




CHAPTER IX. 

THE RED HAND. 

The priest of Odin, growing more nnd more for- 
bidding in aspect, and croaking more and more of 
evil, appeared daily at the altar of the temple and 
answered the people who came to render homage to 
their gods. Those people, in the sincerity of their 
deluded souls, believed that the far-seer was their 
best friend, and they listened to him with eager, 
trembling faith. On the morning succeeding the 
visit of Isis, the sun arose bright and clear, and 
there was promise of a beautiful day ; but before 
two hours had passed the heavens became darkened, 
as though the mantle of midnight had been suddenly 
drawn between earth and sky. Great clouds, heavy 
and black, rolled up from the horizon, and the vivid 
lightning flashed and streamed through the inky, 
arch-like dragons’ tongues. The thunder pealed 
with crashing power, shaking the solid earth to its 
foundations, and reverberating through the forest 
and over the waters like the rumble of dying nature. 

Already excited by strange events, and wrought 
up to the highest pitch of superstitious dread, the 
people of Warvalla hastened to the temple to learn 
what new fury had seized the gods. 


The Red Hand. 


105 


’Tis the voice of Thor said Thangbrand ; 

and this is his speech of warning. Great Odin 
darkened the moon in his wrath ; and now Thor 
draws a veil over the sun, and shakes the earth with 
his cry of alarm. His eyes flash, and his nostrils 
pour forth flames of fire. But, my children, if we 
can make our peace with Odin, we need not fear the 
other gods. Thor will be pacified when he knows 
that we heed his warning. I will intercede with him 
and my intercession shall not be in vain.’’ 

The priest labored to quiet the terror-stricken 
people for the time ; but he took good care that they 
should still dwell in fear of impending wrath. He 
could save them a little while ; but the king must 
do the rest. 

By noon the thunder had sounded its last echo ; 
the clouds had rolled away beyond the sea ; and the 
sun came out once more bright and clear. The citi- 
zens returned to the town ; and when, at a later 
hour, they met in the market-place, there seemed to 
be but one feeling touching their king. If he 
refused to obey the oracle, the wrath of his subjects 
should outstrip the vengeance of heaven. 

Towards evening the priest came out from his 
temple, and walked towards the cot of Diana. His 
face looked more fiendish than usual, and his tread 
was sly and cat-like. When he came near to the 
dwelling he sat down behind a clump of bushes, 
where he remained nearly an hour. He saw Isis 
come out and go away towards the town ; and not 
long afterwards Diana came to the door with her 
distaff, and sac down upon the stool, where she 


io6 


Rollo of Normandy. 


might view the glories of departing day while she 
found useful employment for her hands. The priest 
approached her, and spoke. She started when she 
saw him coming, and she shuddered as the tones of 
his voice fell upon her ear. 

“ It is a lovely evening, Diana, and nature invites 
us forth to behold the works of the gods. Come — 
walk with me. I wish to confer with you upon an 
important matter.’* 

‘‘ Why not confer within my cot ?” asked the 
widow. 

‘‘Your daughter may return,” replied Thang- 
brand : “ and what I have to say is not for her ear. 
We will walk in the forest. We will walk towards 
the temple, or towards the river. We will not be 
gone long. I trust that you will not detain me.” 

Diana dared not refuse, so she put on her mantle 
and followed the priest from the cot. As they 
walked on the far-seer broached the subject that 
dwelt in his mind, and asked the woman to answer 
him certain questions. He told her that he feared 
she did not give herself wholly up to the direction 
of the gods. She asked him in what matter. He 
told her, in the matter of her daughter’s marriage 
with the king ; whereupon she confessed that she 
did not enter into the plan with her heart. 

The priest labored to make Diana bow to his 
will, but she would not. She remained firm in 
the opinion she had at first expressed. He did 
not threaten her with any vengeance of his own, 
though he tried to make her believe that the gods 


The Red Hand. 


107 


would surely visit her in wrath if she did not sub- 
mit. 

The sun was just sinking from sight as the priest 
and his companion reached the bank of the river. 
The stream was dark and deep, and rolled on with 
swift tide towards the sea. Great trees overhung 
the gorge, casting a sombre shade upon the hurrying 
waters ; and the night birds were already on the 
wing, piercing the air with their croaks and screams. 
Thangbrand stopped, and looked down into the 
woman’s face. His own face was horribly dark and 
glaring, and his eyes seemed sunk deeper than 
ever. 

“ Diana, I have one more question to ask you, and 
I think you will answer me truly. I know how you 
look upon the subject of the marriage, but I do not 
know how you regard the power that has issued the 
edict. There are, in Normandy, those who turn from 
the worship of Odin, and bend the knee to the God of 
the Christian. Are you one of those ?” 

At first the woman made no answer. She trem- 
bled and bowed her head. 

“Tell me, Diana, for I would know. Do you 
believe in this strange God ?” 

“ I do not understand the Christian faith, Thang- 
brand ; and consequently I cannot believe in that 
God.” 

“ But how is it with Odin ? Do you have faith 
in him ?” 

“ I have a faith that there is a Creator and Gov- 
ernor of all things,” replied Diana, after a little 
meditation. “ I think there must be some Almighty 


io8 


Rollo of Normandy. 


Being, before whom every child should bow, and to 
whom we may all look for help in the hour of dis- 
tress.*' 

“ And is not great Odin such a god ?’* asked the 
priest, resting his head upon the woman's shoulder 
till she almost bent beneath the weight. 

‘‘ I know not," was her tremulous reply. 

How ? Do you doubt the power of Odin ?" 

Diana would have shrank away from the touch of 
the dark priest, but he held her fast. 

‘‘You do not answer me." 

“ Because I know not what to say. If Odin be 
the name of the Creator of heaven and earth, then 
Odin I worship." 

“You trifle with me, woman." 

“ I answer to the best of my ability." 

“ Then let me give you a more simple question : 
Do you have faith in the oracles which Odin speaks 
from his chosen temple ?" 

“The question is not more simple than the 
other." 

“ Beware, Diana ! I am not to be toyed with. 
You understand my meaning. Do you believe that 
from my lips have issued the prophecies of 
heaven ?" 

The woman trembled more violently than before, 
and made another effort to escape from the hand 
that was laid upon her. 

“ Speak — answer me !" 

“ I will not speak falsely," she finally said. “ I 
have not that faith. I cannot believe it." 

“ Cannot ?" 


The Red Hand. 


109 


“ I cannot/' 

‘‘ Beware, woman !" 

“ I have given you my answer, and I have spoken 
the words which my soul dictated." 

“You do not believe?" 

“ I do not believe that you, Thangbrand, speak the 
will of heaven. I do not believe that the prophecy 
concerning my daughter ever came from a god." 

“ You are mad." 

“ I am not mad. I speak soberly, and from con- 
viction." 

“ You have your reasons for your belief ?" 

“ Aye, Thangbrand, — I have terrible reasons." 

“And perhaps you will allow your belief to influ- 
ence you in your intercourse with Isis." 

“ I cannot speak to my child that which I do not 
believe." 

The priest removed his hand from Diana's arm, 
and stood before her, so that she could not pass 
him. 

“ Woman, I have heard enough. The plans which 
have been formed must be carried to their consum- 
mation, and all obstacles thereto must be removed. 
I thought you knew Thangbrand." 

“ Alas !" replied Diana, while her eyes filled with 
tears, “ I do know him !" 

“ Enough !" said the priest. And as he spoke he 
seized the woman with his left hand, while with the 
right he drew a sharp knife from his bosom. 

“Mercy!" gasped Diana, trying to break away, 
“ you will not kill me 1" 

“You stand in the way of heaven’s purpose !" 


I lO 


Rollo of Normaiidy, 


‘‘ No, no, — you cannot say that. Spare me ! spare 
me 

“ It is too late, Diana. You have said too much !’' 

“ And must I die ?“ 

“Aye.*’ 

“Then you add another crime to the burden of 
your sin-laden soul !” the woman cried, starting up, 
and facing her enemy with the firmness of despair. 
“ But,” she added, with her face turned upward, 
“ you shall not escape. My story shall be known.” 

“Who shall tell it V demanded Thangbrand, with 
a mocking sneer. 

“ The trees shall tell it. The night-birds that 
scream in the darkening air shall tell it. The deep 
waters that roll on to the sea shall bear the story 
upon their bosom. O — heaven knows it now — 
heaven shall tell it !” 

“ But thou shalt not tell it !” 

The priest hissed out the words from between his 
clenched teeth, and as he spoke he raised his arm 
and struck. He struck once — he struck twice, — and 
then he hurled the bleeding woman over the steep 
bank. He heard the heavy plunge into the deep 
water ; he saw, beneath the dark shadows that 
rested upon the river, the body rise and sink — then 
rise, and sink again ; and he saw it no more. 

“ Now I am safe !” the red-handed priest muttered, 
as he turned away from the bank. “ That woman 
had lived long enough. She was dangerous. I am 
better off now that she is gone ; and I do not believe 
her fate has been made any worse.** 

He stopped at a little stream and washed the blood 


The Red Hand. 


1 1 1 


from his hands, and from his knife ; and then bent 
his steps towards the sequestered cot, where he found 
Isis just returned from the town. 

Is your mother at home ?” he asked, after he had 
mumbled a benediction. 

I do not find her,” replied the maiden, “ and 
thereat I am much surprised. She is not in the 
habit of going away at this hour.” 

‘I am. not easy about her,” said the priest. But 
she may be near at hand.” 

I hardly think so, seer-father. It is the hour for 
our evening meal, and no preparation has yet been 
made. But you said that you were uneasy. Have 
you seen her ?” 

No, my child.” 

What makes you uneasy ?” 

Let me first ask you a question. Have you ever 
heard your mother speak disrespectfully of Odin ?” 

‘‘ Not directly.” 

But in any way ?” 

‘‘ Perhaps so. She has certainly refused to respect 
the oracles.” 

“ Ah — I fear it is sad with Diana,” muttered Thang- 
brand, shaking his head. “ In the loud thunder this 
morning, I heard the voice of Thor crying out against 
the unfaithful. I heard several names spoken, and 
among them was that of your mother. I was 
startled, and I begged for mercy ; but I heard no 
forgiving note. I fear that Diana is no more.” 

“Do you mean that my mother is dead ?” cried 
Isis, in alarm. 

“I cannot say that she is dead ; but I believe the 


I 12 


Rollo of Normandy. 


gods have taken her away. However, my child, let 
not this wonderful dispensation affect you. You 
were not to blame that your mother turned from the 
worship of Odin ; and you must not grieve that she 
has met the reward of her error. The same hand 
that struck down the unfaithful can sustain the faith- 
ful. If you are true to heaven, you need not fear. 
And, moreover, if your mother has been removed, it 
may be a forerunner of your speedy union with the 
king.*' 

Isis very easily calmed herself, for she had a blind 
confidence in the dark priest ; and her attachment 
to the purpose of the oracle was greater than her 
attachment to any other thing, her mother not 
excepted. She promised that she would wait 
patiently until the next day, and then, if her mother 
did not return, she should resign herself into the 
hands of such fate as heaven had ordained. 

When Thangbrand reached the temple it was quite 
dark, and he was slightly startled upon finding a 
man standing by the entrance to the cave. 

Who is this ?’* 

It is Lamac.” 

Ah, yes — I recognize you now. And, Lamac, I 
am glad you have come, for we have need of prompt 
action. The gods are filled with wrath, and I tremble 
for the consequences if they are not appeased. 
Have you found the man of whom you spoke 
to me ?" 

I have, and he is ready and anxious for the 
work." 

“ Where is he ?" 


The Red Hand. 


113 

\ 

“Between here and the town/' 

“ And how is it with the rest ? Can you overcome 
the guard at Hildegunna's cot?” 

“I have made the thing sure." 

“ It is well. Let the work be done as speedily as 
possible." 

“You would have it done to-night ?" 

“ It is not I alone who would have it so, good 
Lamac. All Normandy would have it so if they 
knew the occasion. You would have it so." 

“ It shall be done." 

“ Then hasten away and set the plot at work." 

Without further remark the captain left the 
temple, and made the best of his way to the town, 
where he found a squad of his soldiers waiting for 
him. He gave them careful directions touching the 
work they were to perform, and when they had 
departed he returned to the forest, where, at the 
junction of two paths, he met Gorm, the bondman. 
The moon was just rising, and as the silvery beams 
crept into the forest glade, they fell upon the person 
of Gorm, and revealed him more clearly to view. 
He was a stout, burly fellow, like a bear in bulk and 
like a brute in manner. A wolf-skin was bound 
around his loins, forming the only garment that 
covered his nakedness. He was a wild, savage-look- 
ing beast, and seemed eager to clutch the prey 
before him. 

“ Gorm, you told me you would have a companion 
to help you," said Lamac. “ It will be hardly safe for 
you to attempt it alone, for you know the work must 


1 1 4 Rollo of Normandy. 


be surely done. The maiden must be not only 
taken away, but safely kept away.’' 

It is all right,” replied Gorm, with a twist of the 
huge shoulders, and a pointing of the thumb over 
into the bushes. ‘‘ I have a man there.” 

Ah — who is it ?” 

You don’t know him. He is Gudleif — a fisher- 
man — a thrall of Oric. He is safe. I know him.” 

Does he know just what he is to do ?” 

Yes.” 

Let him appear.” 

Gorm sounded a low, shrill whistle, and presently 
Gudleif made his appearance. He was not so tall 
as Gorm, but he had the same bearish bulk and 
form, and the same brutish look. In fact, neither of 
them looked like men except in the bare outline of 
structure. When Lamac had seen him, he seemed 
to feel assured that the work was in safe hands, for 
he turned to Gorm, and said : 

“You have been prompt, and I am glad. And 
now, if you will come with me, you shall soon be in 
possession of your prize. I think you remember all 
the promises you have made T* 

“ Yes.” 

“And you will go away from Normandy with the 
girl as quickly as you can ?” 

“ Yes.” 

“ Then come. Follow me.” 

Lamac led the way to a spot back of Hildegunna’s 
cot, where he stopped until the two bondmen were 
with him. 


The Red Hand, 


V 

\ 


II5 


‘‘ From this point," he said, you can observe all 
that transpires about the dwelling." 

Gorm nodded assent. 

“You will know when the soldiers have performed 
their part ?" 

The beast nodded again. 

“ And you will waste no time thereafter ?" 

“ Not a moment." 

A few more words, and the two bondmen were 
left to keep their watch, ready to glide in when the 
time should come, to bear away the doomed one. 




CHAPTER X. 

WHAT GUDLIEF FOUND UPON THE SAND. 

In the evening Hildegunna and her daughter sat 
in their cot, and for some time a dead silence had 
marked the period of their thought. Even the tread 
of the sentinel had ceased, and the gentle breeze 
which had been sighing through the vines was 
hushed. A small lamp burned upon the table, by 
the light of which the faces of both parent and child 
were revealed in sadness and anxiety. 

‘‘Clotilda,’* spoke the widow, raising* her head and 
folding her hands as though she had resolved to 
free her mind of a burden, we must leave 
Normandy.” 

Leave Normandy !” repeated the maiden, with a 
start. 

“Yes. I have reflected upon the subject with 
much earnestness of thought, and I think we must 
leave this land. We can go to England. Ethelwolf, 
the Saxon, Earl of Sussex, is my cousin, and he will 
give us protection. Why should we remain here ?” 

Clotilda bowed her head, and made no reply^ 

“ I know how hard it is, my child, to give up the 
companionship of a loved one, but there are some 



What Gudlief Fotmd, 


117 


things harder than that. To be the means of bring- 
ing that loved one unto ruin would be harder.’' 

O, my mother,” cried the sorrowing girl, I 
know you speak the truth, and yet Rollo has bid me 
hope. It seems to me that no one else ever loved as 
I love Rollo. If I could die for him — if my life 
would purchase his lasting happiness — I would make 
the sacrifice joyfully. But to leave him thus — to 
tear in sunder the tenderest cords of the heart — is 
almost beyond endurance. I shall not refuse to go 
with you, but I think I would rather die.” 

‘‘You feel thus, my child, because you have a 
lingering hope that Rollo may overcome the obsta- 
cles to your union. But the hope is fatal. It cannot 
so be. I know the temper of this people, and I 
know how superstitious they are, and how blindly 
they follow the will of their far-seeing priest. There 
is something terrible in the picture of the human 
soul so degraded, but so it is, and we have not the 
power to change it. The people are already aroused 
to a high pitch of fear and dread, and should their 
king refuse to wed with Isis, the result would be 
fearful to contemplate. His death would be cer- 
tain.” 

“They would not kill their king !” said Clotilda, 
shuddering. 

“ O, my dear daughter, how little do you know of 
these wild Norman warriors. Even now they would 
slay their monarch if they thought Odin favored the 
sacrifice. While you are here, Rollo will have tempt- 
ation to hold back from the desires of his people, 
and will consequently subject himself to a dreadful 


Rollo of Normandy. 


ii8 


penalty. I know him well. His heart is stout and 
strong, and yet, in its love, as tender as an infant’s. 
He loves you almost too well, and I fear that he will 
set the oracle at defiance before he will voluntarily 
break the bond. But if you remove yourself from 
his sight, and he understands that you are gone 
from him forever, he will submit to the will of his 
people, and retain his life and his crown.’* 

The maiden shook her head. 

Do you doubt me, Clotilda ?” 

“ I think you mistake in one thing, my mother. 
Even were I away, to remain away forever, I do not 
believe that Rollo would ever consent to marry with 
Isis. He could not love her.” 

It was now the mother’s turn to shake her head. 

Ah, my child, you have not lived a long and 
eventful life, and you know not what things may 
arise in the future to combat the opinions you now 
entertain. I know that Rollo is true, but you must 
remember that he is king of Normandy, and that in 
that character he has duties to perform. As he is 
now situated, his thoughts are all of you, but if you 
were gone, he might more seriously consider the 
means by which his subjects could be pleased and 
satisfied. I think we must go away. Ah — how 
now, good Olaf ?” 

The stout swineherd had come in while Hilde- 
gunna was speaking. 

There may be no danger, my mistress,” said 
Olaf, ‘‘but I felt it my duty to come and tell you 
that I don’t like the appearance of things. I hope 
there is no cause of alarm.” 


What Gudlief Found, 


T19 


“ What is it, Olaf ?’' 

I am sure there are men concealed in the wood 
near the house. There are men towards the water, 
and I am afraid there are some in the other direc- 
tion.” 

Clotilda glided to her mother's side, and seized 
her by the arm. She was very pale, and trembled 
violently. 

“ Can we not flee away into the forest, mother ? 
O, there is something dreadful coming !” 

Hush my child — do not fear too much. How is 
it, Olaf ? Do you think there is danger ?” 

The bondman was upon the point of -replying, 
when a movement was heard in the yard, and as 
quickly as possible he hurried out, where he found 
his three companions confronted by half a dozen sol- 
diers, with Lamac at their head, 

“What is this, sir captain ?” demanded Olaf, when 
he saw who led the intruders. 

“ I have come to take you and your companions 
prisoners,” said Lamac, “ and if you are wise you 
will submit without any show of resistance.” 

Olaf was but a serf, and he dared not oppose a 
Norman captain, and yet he liked not to relinquish 
the post whereon the king had placed him. He was 
relieved from making any immediate reply, how- 
ever, by the appearance of his mistress, who, when 
she heard the voice of the officer, had come to the 
door. 

“ Lamac,” she said, “ why is this strange demand? 
Why do you seek the custody of those whom the 
king hath placed on duty here ?” 


120 


Rollo of Normandy. 


Such are my orders, woman, and I must obey 
them. I trust you will offer no resistance. We 
come not to trouble you.” 

“But it does trouble me much to have Olaf 
removed. He is my bondman, and none save the 
king has a right to take him from me.” 

“ Then you must question the king at your leis- 
ure,” was the captain’s cool response. “ I have my 
orders, and I shall proceed to execute them as 
speedily as possible,” 

“ Did the king send you ?” 

“I cannot tell you. I received my orders from 
one who i^ my superior in authority, and of whom 
I do not ask questions.” 

When he had thus spoken, Lamac turned to his 
followers, and bade them seize on their prisoners. 
It was not in the nature of those bondmen to resist 
a Norman officer, without any especial order to that 
effect, and when Hildegunna told them that they 
had better submit, they did so without opposition, 
and were soon marched away. The widow tried to 
obtain some further intelligence from Lamac, but 
he would not speak. 

“ Be not alarmed, my child,” said Hildegunna, as 
they retired within the cot, after having closed the 
door. “ There may be no danger for us.” 

“There must be danger,” cried Clotilda. “I am 
very fearful. There is something black and terrible 
hanging over us. I have not been easy since the 
dreadful crash of the morning that saw the light- 
ning tearing its way so near to our cot. O, mother, 
let us haste to the castle. We shall be safe there. 


What Gtidlief Faujid, 


I2I 


Rollo will give us shelter where none can harm us. 
We are not safe here. Come — will you not go ?" 

‘‘Not to-night, my child.'* 

“ Hark ! What sound was that ?" 

“ I heard nothing. You are excited, Clotilda. 
Calm yourself and rest." 

“No, no — there is danger. Olaf told us there 
were men in the forest. Lamac came up from the 
other way. Ha ! Some one is at the door. Did 
you not hear ?" 

The widow started to her feet, for she had heard 
the sound, and she wondered what it meant, and, 
moreover, the appearance of her daughter was 
enough to startle her. 

The outer door was not bolted, and as Hildegunna 
stood irresolute, it was unceremoniously opened, and 
two men entered. Clotilda uttered a cry of alarm 
as she recognized the brutish face of Gorm, and 
immediately clung to her mother's side. 

Hildegunna, too, was terror-stricken when she 
saw the fierce serf, for she knew his ugly disposi- 
tion, and she knew that he bore her no good will. 
But she tried to be calm, hoping for the best. 

“ Ah — is this Gorm ?" she said, speaking very 
kindly. 

“ Yes," returned the beast, in a tone not unlike 
the grunt of a wild bear. 

“ Have you and your companion sought shelter 
here for the night ?" continued the widow, strug- 
gling hard to conceal her fears. 

“We seek no shelter," answered the serf. “Gorm 
does not hunt for shelter where he has been once 


122 


Rollo of Normandy, 


cast out. Gorm has no desire to rest beneath the 
roof of Hildegunna. No — we have come for some- 
thing else.’* 

The eyes of the human beast were like glaring 
coals, gleaming from beneath the low, shaggy brows, 
and his great, swart hands worked as though they 
were eager to clutch the fair prey that awaited their 
grasp. The mother and daughter were both appalled 
with terror, but the latter was the first to command 
speech after the serf’s dubious announcement. 

O, good Gorm, you do not mean to do us harm.” 

‘‘Your mother needn’t be frightened. I don't 
mean to touch her if she behaves herself.” 

“ And do you mean harm to me ?” asked Clotilda. 

“ I don’t know what you call harm,” replied 
Gorm, moving nearer to her. “ You are going away 
with me, and if you go decently you will go safely. 
That’s it, my fair young maiden ; you are going 
away with Gorm, and we must go very soon, too. 
Are you ready ?” 

It was not her mother whom they wanted, and 
they would not harm her if she was quiet ; but she 
herself was the object of their cruel purpose. She 
cast one look into the serf’s face as he approached 
her, and then, with all her energies in that one move- 
ment, she sprang towards the open door, and leaped 
into the yard. 

“ Eh !” cried Gorm, standing up and looking after 
the fleeing maiden ; “ that won’t hurt us. Do you 
bind this old woman, Gudlief, and I’ll soon come up 
with the runaway. Bind her fast, and then come 
after me.” 


What Gudlief Found. 


123 


With this Gorm dashed out after the fleeing 
maiden. She had taken to the sea-shore, and was 
speeding on at a rapid rate ; but she was no match 
for the muscular serf. He overtook her without 
difficulty, simply allowing her to run until she was 
well nigh exhausted, and then hurrying toward her. 
When he reached her side, and placed his heavy hand 
upon her, she sank down, and for a few moments 
seemed powerless ; but directly her senses returned, 
and she started to her feet and cried out for help 
with all her might. 

“ Oho muttered the serf, wrenching her towards 
him, and clapping his hand upon her mouth, we 
must put a stop to this.’' 

He had no bandage with him, but he was not 
wholly without ideas. A strip torn from the 
maiden’s mantle served his purpose, and when he 
had bound it around her mouth so that she could 
not cry out, he tore off another strip with which he 
secured her hands behind her. This done, he lifted 
her to his broad shoulder as though she had been a 
mere child, and started back toward the cot. When 
half way there he met Gudlief, who informed him 
that the widow was safe from giving them trouble. 

“ I bound her fast to her own bed, put out her 
light, and locked the door.” 

‘‘Then,” said Gorm, “do you go ahead, and lead 
the way to our boat. You needn’t be afraid of 
going too fast. I can keep up with you.” 

Away went Gudlief to the northward, following 
up the shore until he had re^iched a point a third of 
a league beyond Hildegunna’s cot, where he turned 


124 


Rollo of Normandy, 


to the right, into a path through the wood, which 
led him across the headland to an opposite shore, 
where a river poured its flood into a small, narrow 
bay. Near to the point where the serfs struck the 
shore a stout boat was hauled up on the sand, and 
Gorm laid his burden down for the purpose of help- 
ing push the boat off. They were moving towards 
it when something peculiar attracted Gudlief’s 
attention. It was an object upon the sand, close by 
the water’s edge, which seemed to have been washed 
up there. 

‘‘ What is it ?” said Gorm. 

It's a woman,” replied Gudlief, as he bent over 
the senseless form. ‘‘ It’s somebody dead and 
washed ashore.” He turned the body over, and as 
the moonbeams fell upon the face, he uttered a new 
exclamation. 

‘‘It’s Diana! See! — by the thunders of Thor, 
it’s good Diana. Is she dead ?” 

“Of course she’s dead,” cried Gorm ; “so let her 
be, and come to the boat.” 

“ No, no,” said Gudlief. “ Her bosom is warm. 
There’s something beating close by her heart. She 
is not dead. If we care for her she may recover.” 

“ Don’t stop there to waste time. Come to the 
boat.” 

“ Mercy ! look here !” exclaimed the kneeling serf, 
seeming not to have noticed the impatient call of 
his companion. “There’s something more than 
drowning here. Come and see. Here’s blood ! 
She’s been cut with a knife.” 


What Gtidlicf Found, 


125 


S] More likely she’s been cut by the rocks in the 
I river,” said Gorm.” 

i ‘‘ Perhaps she has ; but she is not dead. We’ll 
I put her into the boat.” 

• ‘‘Are you crazy, Gudlief ? Can we stop hereto 
j waste our time with her ?” 

“ But she is not dead, Gorm. She has life still in 
her, and if she is cared for she may revive.” 

“ Then let her revive ; but we cannot stop for her.” 

Gudlief, like others of his servile race, though 
little above the brute in moral understanding, and 
utterly devoid of humanity when moved by revenge, 
was still susceptible of keenest gratitude. 

“ Listen to me,” he said, still kneeling and holding 
the head of the insensible woman in his hands. 
“Once I was almost killed by a wild boar. It was 
in the forest, and not far from Diana’s cot. Diana 
found me. She helped me up, and led me to her 
own habitation, where she nursed me as though I 
had been her own child. She was as kind as a 
mother, and as tender as a sister ; and when I was 
strong and well, she sent me away with a blessing. 
This is Diana, and she is almost dead, as I was in the 
forest. What shall I do with her ?” 

“ What do you want to do with her ?” 

“ I shall either put her into the boat, where I can 
care for her when we get away from the shore, or I 
shall remain here with her.” 

“ But I cannot row the boat over the sea alone.” 

“ Then I will go with you ; but I must take this 
woman.” 

Gorm was sufficiently acquainted with the disposi- 


Rollo of Normandy. 


1 26 


tion of his companion to know that no argument or 
threat would induce him to leave the poor sufferer to 
herself, so he reluctantly consented that she should 
be borne to the boat. 

“You can carry her, but I don't see how you are 
to care for her, and at the same time handle the 
oar.” 

“ We’ll find a way,” said Gudlief. “ It can be done 
more easily than you think for.” 

They pushed the boat into the water ; and after 
Clotilda had been placed on board, Gudlief went 
and brought Diana, who was still insensible, but 
whose heart palpably pulsated. The maiden started 
with horror when she saw them place the senseless 
form so near to her ; and it was plain to be seen 
that she looked upon the serfs as having had some 
hand in this dark work. Gudlief saw it, and he 
said to his companion : 

“ She thinks we have killed this woman, but we’ll 
soon make her know differently. She shall nurse 
Diana. It will give her something to do, and keep 
her quiet.” 

At first Gorm was inclined to object to this 
arrangement, but when he reflected, he seemed to 
consider that it might be better so ; for he removed 
the bandage from the maiden’s mouth, and then 
addressed her : 

“ Do you know this woman ?” 

“ Yes. It is Diana.” The moon was shining 
brightly, and the features were distinct. 

“ We have not done her any harm,” pursued Gorm. 
“ We found her where you saw us pick her up ; and 


What Gtidlief Foitnd, 


127 


how she came there, or how she got hurt, we do not 
know. She must have floated down the river. But 
that matters not. I care nothing for her, and if my 
wish was law, she would be left here upon the sand. 
But she once saved Gudlief’s life, and Gudlief is now 
determined to save hers. We have come to take you 
away in this boat. If we take the woman, will you 
nurse her T' 

‘‘ Whither do you take us ?” 

‘‘ Across the water.** 

“ To what land ?** 

“Never mind. We take you away from Nor- 
mandy. That is all you can know at present about 
that. And now about this poor woman ?’* 

“ I will nurse her !'* Clotilda answered, quickly ; 
and after the boat had been pushed from the shore, 
and her hands had been set free, she went at the 
work with her whole heart. Not only were her 
sympathies tenderly awakened in Diana’s behalf, but 
she had a faint, dim hope that she might be saving 
to herself a companion and a friend. 

There were two knife-wounds — one upon the 
shoulder, and one upon the breast — but they were 
not deep, the blade having in both cases glanced 
downward upon the bone. These were carefully 
dressed, the moon affording plenty of light for the 
work ; and then attention was turned to bringing 
back departed consciousness. 

Away went the boat over the billowy sea, pulled 
by stout, untiring arms, an occasional dash of spray 
sending its chill shower over the devoted nurse ; 


128 


Rollo of Normandy, 


but she did not heed the interruption of the ele- 
ments. She bent eagerly, persistently to her work, 
and by and by the moonbeams were reflected from 
Diana’s opening eyes. 




CHAPTER XI. 

APPROACHING A CLIMAX. 

The mind of the king was filled with dark fore- 
bodings. He passed a night of dreamy unrest, and 
when the morning came he felt little spirit of wel- 
come for the new-born day. It seemed to him that 
his attendants looked suspiciously upon him ; and 
when he gazed from his window upon the distant 
town, the people seemed to be moving to and fro, 
as though some mighty dread had settled upon 
them. Before he took his morning meal, he sent 
one of his messengers out to the cot of Hildegunna, 
with an order for Olaf to repair immediately to the 
castle. After this he took some refreshment, and 
then retired to his closet, where he awaited the 
coming of the swineherd. His messenger came 
back, but not with Olaf. 

‘‘ Did you not find him ?** 

No, sire. But I found Hildegunna, and she is 
at hand.** 

“ How ? Has she come hither ?’* 

‘‘ Yes. I found her alone in the cot. She was 
bound, hand and foot.** 

“ Where is she ? In the name of highest heaven, 
give me answer quickly ! Bring her !” 



T30 


Rollo of Normandy . 


In a few moments the widow was in the presence 
of the king. 

Pardon, sire,'* she said, as she sank upon a seat. 

I am faint and weak.*’ 

Sweet mother,** cried Rollo, sinking upon his 
knee at her side, what means this ? What has 
happened ? Where is Clotilda ?’* 

‘‘ Alas ! she is gone.** 

‘‘Gone! gone! But how? What is it I am 
tortured — my head swims !** 

The woman pressed her hand upon her throbbing 
heart, and after a short pause she spoke. She told 
the king all that had transpired at her dwelling on 
the previous night. She told of the coming of 
Lamac, with the soldiers ; of the carrying away of 
Olaf and his companions; of the subsequent appear- 
ance of Gorm and Gudlief ; and of the seizure of 
Clotilda, and of the binding of herself. 

The young monarch was like one distracted. He 
wrung his hands during the recital, and groans of 
deepest agony burst from his bosom. 

“Gorm and Gudlief !’* he gasped, in a horrified 
whisper. “ Gorm and Gudlief ! And they have 
borne away the sweet flower of my heart ! O, this 
is worse than death ! Had the wild bear of the 
forest, with its fangs of dire destruction, torn her 
pure flesh to pulp, it had been better than this ! 
But there may be hope yet. If heaven is ever kind, 
this awful calamity may be averted. Do you know 
which way they went?’* 

Hildegunna could give no further information. 


Approaching a Climax, 


131 


She had seen nothing beyond what she had already 
told, and she had heard nothing. 

The king had some few servants whom he felt that 
he could trust, and these he summoned to his pres- 
ence. There came a score of stout men in answer to 
his call — men who had been with him from child- 
hood, who had served him since he was old enough 
to deliver an order — men into whose hand he would 
not have feared to place his life at any time. In as 
few words as possible he told them what they needed 
to know, and asked them if they would undertake 
to find the lost one. Ingolf, the leader of the party, 
spoke for his companions. They would sacrifice 
their lives, if need be, to rescue the sweet maiden 
from such hands. 

“ Then hasten,^* cried the king, and let your 
search be marked by every possible energy. You, 
good Ingolf, must lead in the work. Bring me back 
a favorable answer, and I will bless you. Let your 
steps be turned in every direction, and allow no 
obstacle to restrain you. You have your swords 
and spears, — fear not to use them if occasion justly 
demands it. Away now ; and a robe of honor for 
him who brings me intelligence of the maiden’s 
safety.” 

As soon as these men were gone Rollo sent for 
Lamac. The dark-browed captain came looking 
grim and surly, and his salutation was not of the most 
respectful kind. In fact, it was very evident that the 
swart warrior already looked upon his king as a 
culprit, and that his respect was on the wane. 


132 


Rollo of Normandy, 


Lamac, I hear strange news this morning,” said 
Rollo. 

I do not doubt it, sire. Strange things have 
been occurring in Normandy.” 

This answer was bold and insinuating ; and in the 
tone there was a sad lack of reverence. The king 
saw it, and felt it ; but he would not yet allow his 
anger to manifest itself. He drew himself more 
proudly up, and bent upon the captain a sterner 
look. 

Lamac, a strange thing happened at the dwell- 
ing of Hildegunna last night.” 

“ I was there, sire.” 

‘‘And you laid violent hands upon the servants, 
whom I had especially placed on duty there ?” 

“ I caused the arrest of all whom I found in arms 
there.” 

“ And after that,” pursued the king, bending a 
searching glance upon the man before him, “ the 
fair daughter of Hildegunna was torn away from 
her home.” 

“ It may be so, sire.” 

“ Lamac, you know it is so! The announcement 
gives you no astonishment. You were prepared for 
it. You knew it from the first. The same purpose 
that demanded the removal of the guard from that 
sequestered cot, had in view this base outrage upon 
the maiden. You — you^ Lamac, knew that Gorm 
and Gudlief were to seize Clotilda ! You opened 
the way for them ? You led them to their horrible 
work !” 

“You speak as though you knew, sire.” 


Approaching a Climax, 


133 


Because I do know. Your look — your tone — 
your manner, all betray it. You did do it, as I have 
said. O, Lamac, what evil spirit hath possessed 
you T 

Let that question be turned home upon your- 
self, sire. Hath not some evil spirit possessed our 
king, that he turns away from the gods of his 
fathers, and suffers a criminal passion to lead him 
from his duty.'' 

A criminal passion, Lamac ?" Rollo spoke this 
in a whisper, with his hands working nervously 
together. 

Aye, sire. What but such a passion could lead 
a king to the cot of an obscure maiden while his 
duty to heaven and to his country demanded that 
his visits of love should be made to another ?" 

‘‘Beware, Lamac! You are touching me more 
deeply than I can bear. By what authority did you 
arrest my guard ?" 

“ By such authority as any true son of Odin might 
accept for guidance." 

“ And this is rebellion." 

“Call it so, if you please." 

“ Lamac, do you hurl defiance in my teeth ?" 

The captain quailed for a moment before the 
look of his king ; but he soon recovered himself, 
and answered with as much assurance as before : 

“ I shrink not from speaking the truth." 

“O! you will drive me mad! Lamac, Lamac, 
beware !" 

“ It is you, sire, who should beware." 

“ Silence, dog ! Dare to turn thine impious voice 


^34 


Rollo of Normandy, 


upon me again in such insulting words, and I’ll 
strike thee to the earth ! By the shades of Balder, I 
can bear no more I Think not that I will tamely 
submit to be thus outraged. You have taken away 
the guard that I placed over the widow’s cot ; and 
the widow’s daughter has been borne away by brut- 
ish serfs. Whither have they carried her T* 

‘‘ I cannot tell you.” 

Say — you will not tell me.” 

“ Make me say as you please, sire — I cannot tell 
you.” 

“ Lamac, once more I ask you — where is Clotilda ?” 

‘‘ I know not.” 

And yet you planned for her removal ?” 

“ Your questions turn in the wrong direction, sire. 
Go ask at the altar of the temple. Go and gain 
strength for the performance of your duty. Your 
people look to see you obey the will of heaven.” 

‘‘ You mean, they look to see me marry with Isis ?” 

Yes.” 

“And if I do not ?” 

“ It shall be worse for you.” 

“Do you threaten your king 

“ I speak but the sentiment of your people.” 

“ By the gods, Lamac, if you turn upon me again . 
like that. I’ll strike thee down ! You are in the pres- 
ence of your sovereign !” 

“ I am safe, sire.” 

“ Not if you flash from your eyes more defiance. 
It is not your speech alone that moves me ; but your 
look — your bearing — your tone, — they are all cruelly 
insulting. I cannot bear it.” 


Approaching a Climax. 


135 


You should have thought of this before you 
turned a deaf ear to the call of heaven/' 

The retort was cool and biting, and the king, past 
all power of endurance, with the memory of so many 
insults crowding upon him, drew his sword from its 
scabbard. 

“Another word like that, Lamac, and you have 
spoken for the last time on earth !" 

The dark warrior seemed to forget that he was in 
the presence of the king. His association with the 
priest had led him to look lightly upon the young 
ruler, and he would not now, upon compulsion, bend 
the knee which he had refused to bend from rever- 
ence. He drew his own sword, and cast upon Rollo 
a look of defiance. 

“ Lamac, you have done what no Norman ever did 
before. You have dared to draw your sword upon 
your king; and now be the result upon your own 
head 

With these words Rollo raised his weapon, and 
quick as thought the blade had passed through the 
captain's body. The movement had been so light- 
ning-like and so powerful, that the blow was given 
almost before the direction of the gleaming point 
could be seen ; and Lamac staggered back and fell 
without a word. A dying groan burst from his lips 
as his arms were thrown up ; but his rash, insulting 
tongue had spoken its last word. 

“ Ah, Lamac," muttered the king, as he moved 
back, and wiped his sword, “you should have known 
better than to move me so. O, if Thangbrand were 
dead with you, it would be better for Normandy !" 


136 


Rollo of Normandy. 


A little while he stood and gazed upon the corpse, 
and then he sent for his lieutenant. Thorwald came, 
and started with alarm when he beheld the bloody 
scene. 

Thorwald, you see what I have done.'* 

The lieutenant made no reply, but gazed first upon 
the dead man, and then upon his master. 

‘‘You are astonished, my good Thorwald; but 
listen to me : last night Lamac went to the cot of 
Hildegunna, and took away the guard I had posted 
there — took them away by force — and then two serfs 
came after him, and bore away Clotilda. He planned 
it all ; I accused him of it, and he did not deny it." 

“ And did you slay him for this, sire ?’’ 

“ No, no, Thorwald, not for this. When I sent for 
him I had no thought of such a vengeance. But he 
was bold and insulting. With defiant front he spit 
upon me words of such character that my very heart 
leaped up in opposition. I warned him, but he paid 
no heed. I warned him again ; and again he insulted 
me. Then I drew my sword, and assured him that 
I would strike him down if he dared to put more 
insult upon me. Upon this he drew his own sword, 
and confronted me. Mind you — drew his sword 
upon his king ! By the gods, Thorwald, had he 
been a thousand Norman captains, I would have 
stricken him down !" 

“ Upon my life, sire, I know not what to say," 
replied the lieutenant, shaking his head. “ I am 
sorry that this hath happened now, for Lamac stood 
well with many of the people, and the priest of the 


Approaching a Climax. 


137 


temple hath given him countenance. I fear that 
trouble will come from it.’’ 

Then we will quell the trouble.” 

But, sire, there will be trouble among your 
warriors.” 

Then we will set the loyal warriors to overcome 
and subdue the disloyal ones.” 

Thorwald shook his head. 

How.?” demanded Rollo ; ‘‘ will not the soldiers 
obey the king ?” 

They may wish to do so, sire ; but they will obey 
the voice of their gods first.” 

O,” cried the king, striding across the chamber, 
and smiting his hands together, and must that wild, 
mad, lying prophecy of the priest meet me at every 
turn ! I tell thee, Thorwald, it is all a base imposi- 
tion. Thangbrand is a villain and a hypocrite !” 

The lieutenant stood aghast. The words of the 
monarch sounded impious in his ear, and he seemed 
to fear that the very roof of the castle chamber might 
fall upon him and crush him. He was a brave soldier 
and a faithful subject, and had been one of Thor- 
stein’s chief supports ; but he was also a firm believer 
in the inspiration of the priest of Odin, and a blind 
follower of all the oracles thence emanating. He 
was as superstitious as he was honest ; and the very 
quality of mind which led him to be faithful as an 
officer, led him also to be firm in his zealous attach- 
ment to the religion of Odin. And, furthermore, he 
knew that the great mass of the people were with 
him, and that their respect for their king would be 


Rollo of Normandy. 


138 


turned into bitterest wrath if he dared to denounce 
the gods. 

Sire,’* he said, after due pause, “ you are yourself 
mad, or you would not speak such words. You 
frighten me. I dare not listen ; for, if I hear your 
wicked speech, and resent it not, I am unfaithful to 
heaven.” 

Good Thorwald,” returned Rollo, in a milder 
tone, I respect you for your honesty, and I am not 
offended by your freedom of speech. I may be beside 
myself now ; for I have had much to move me. You 
will go out among the people, and you will tell them 
that Lamac is dead — that the king slew him ; but I 
trust that you will tell it as it is. Tell how Lamac 
bore upon the king with grossest insult, and how he 
dared to draw his sword. Go, Thorwald, and tell 
the story truly.” 

I will go, sire ; but, before I go, let me make one 
appeal.” The lieutenant had turned and raised his 
hands in earnest supplication ; and his look showed 
that he still bore much love to his royal master. 
“ You know what your people expect. Give me 
authority to say unto them that Rollo will raise Isis 
to his throne, and the death of Lamac shall not 
offend them.” 

Go, Thorwald, and tell the story as you please ; 
but make no promise.” 

Think of it, sire.” 

I have thought, and you have my answer. Let 
me hear no more of Isis.” 

With a bended head the lieutenant left the 
chamber ; and shortly afterwards the king called for 


Approaching a Climax. 


139 


his attendants to come and take away the body of 
the dead captain. 

‘‘ He fell because he dared to threaten his king/* 
was all the explanation Rollo vouchsafed, and then 
he retired to his closet. 

When the day had closed, and the stars of evening 
were set in the sky, some of the messengers returned, 
and announced that they had found no trace of the 
missing maiden. At a later hour Ingolf came, and 
his report was dark and cheerless. He had tracked 
the serfs to a distant part of the coast, and he was 
sure that Clotilda had been taken thence by water. 
Whither, he could not say ; but that she had been 
carried over the sea was certain. It might be to 
England, and it might be to some other point on the 
Norman coast. But, let it be. where it would, 
pursuit seemed almost hopeless. 

Ingolf had just concluded his report when word 
was brought to the king that the priest of the temple 
was in waiting, with a number of the chief men of 
Warvalla. Rollo went immediately to the chamber 
to which the deputation had been conducted, and 
when he met the priest he could hardly conceal his 
emotions of horror and disgust. But when he 
turned and beheld those who had accompanied the 
far-seer, he bowed most respectfully. 

My son,’* spoke Thangbrand, in solemn tone, and 
with arms folded, ** we will not detain you long, for 
we know that you have much upon your mind ; but 
we are anxious to be at rest touching the welfare of 
Normandy. We have not listened to the demands 
of Odin lightly, nor have we remained unmoved 


140 


Rollo of Normandy. 


beneath the dread thunders of Thor. We desire to 
know if your purpose is yet fixed.” 

‘‘ My purpose is fixed !” replied Rollo, slowly and 
firmly. 

‘‘ And will you marry with Isis ?” 

The demand found the king in no mood for bow- 
ing further to the will of one whom he believed to 
be a hypocrite and a villain ; and the deep pain of 
soul consequent upon the calamity of the morning 
gave speed and sharpness to his answer. 

‘‘ This question shall be answered now and for- 
ever,” he said, drawing himself proudly up and 
looking at the priest full in the face. “ Rollo will 
never give his hand to Isis. Heaven may fall, and 
earth may be crushed, but that union shall not be 
among consummated things !” 

Thus speaking the king turned upon his heel, and 
left the chamber. He knew that commotion would 
be the result of his reply ; but, at that moment, he 
cared not whether he lived, or whether he died ; 
and the crown of Normandy was as a worthless 
bauble in his sight. 




CHAPTER XII. 

AN EMPTY THRONE. 

On the morning succeeding the events last 
recorded, while the young king paced up and down 
his apartment in a frame of mind anything but com- 
fortable or composed, his faithful servant. Ingolf, 
made his appearance without ceremony. The new- 
comer was pale and excited, and was forced to exer- 
cise considerable control over himself before he could 
speak. 

“ Be not alarmed,'’ said Rollo. If you have bad 
news for me, I can bear it. Is it of Clotilda ?” 

‘‘ No, sire.” 

“Then speak up. You can tell me of nothing else 
that will startle me.” 

“ You are in danger, sire. The people of War- 
valla are in arms, and the news is spreading to the 
surrounding country.” 

“ What news ?” 

“ The news of your refusal to marry with Isis. 
The commotion is fearful. I saw Thorwald in the 
street, and he knows not what to do. Argument is 
powerless, and force is impossible. The people are 
beside themselves with fear, and demand that the 


142 


Rollo of Normandy. 


will of the gods shall be obeyed. They look upon 
the darkening of the moon, and the pealing of the 
terrific thunder, as direct visitations of Odin and 
Thor ; and they believe that sure destruction must 
come upon the country if the gods are further 
incensed. In short, my master, they are mad with 
excitement and terror.’* 

“ And/* said the king, I suppose the far-seer is 
fanning the flame.*’ 

‘‘Yes, sire ; he is very busy.’* 

“ Do you know what the leaders of the commotion 
propose to do ?’* 

“ Not surely, sire ; but Thorwald told me that 
you were not safe ,• and he advised that you should, 
for a while, at least, make your escape into the coun- 
try. But ’* 

“But what. Ingolf? Do not hesitate. Let me 
know all without reserve.” 

“Thorwald spoke of your escaping into the coun- 
try ; but he did not recommend it as your safest 
course. He said you had better obey the oracle.” 

“ That can never be,” returned Rollo, decisively. 
“ Upon that subject my determination is fixed ; and 
a thousand deaths, all arrayed before me, could not 
shake me. Touching the matter of my escape, I 
have no desire to flee from the wrath of my people ; 
but yet I think I shall leave Warvalla. I must 
search for the lost maiden. Until she is found there 
can be no peace of mind for me. When I think of 
the terrible danger that has gone with her — of the 
worse than deadly power that has seized her — I am 
almost beside myself with horror and despair. I 


An Empty Throne. 


143 


cannot sleep nor can I rest. Her cries for help are 
ever sounding in my ears, and the sharp pang 
pierces my heart. You will go with me ?” 

To the end of the earth, sire.'' 

• ‘‘ And your companions will go 

I know they will." 

“ Then go. Ingolf, and tell Thorwald I would see 
him. Bid him come at once." 

The lieutenant came in answer to the summons. 

‘‘You tremble, good Thorwald," said the king. 

“ Aye, sire ; and you would also tremble if you 
knew how wild and excited your people are. Surely, 
you do not realize it ; you have no thought of the 
danger." 

“ Peace, Thorwald. I am not in the mood now to 
fear the danger of which you speak. I have called 
you for another purpose. I am going in search of 
the daughter of Hildegunna ; and while I am gone, 
you, as my lieutenant, will have charge of the gov- 
ernment." 

“No, no, sire," quickly spoke the officer. “You 
must not go upon that errand. The people know 
that Clotilda has been taken away, and they are not 
sorry ; for they believe that her presence cast an evil 
spell over their king. If you go after her, they 
will—" 

“ What will they do ?" asked Rolla, as the lieuten- 
ant hesitated. 

“ It is impossible to say what they will do," replied 
Thorwald. “ But you may be assured that they will 
not rest easy if they know the object of your depar- 


144 


Rollo of Normandy, 


ture. And, furthermore, you can never bring the 
maiden back into Normandy/' 

‘‘ Ah, — then she has been taken from Normandy ?" 

Yes, sire ; but it will be useless for you to ask 
me whither, for I do not know. All I know is, that 
she was taken away by water. She may be on her 
way to Jutland ; and she may have been taken 
towards England." 

“ I shall go, Thorwald ; and while I am absent, 
you must do the best you can." 

The lieutenant did not reply immediately. He 
walked across the room and back again, and when 
he finally spoke, his voice was choked with emotion. 

My young master, when your royal father gave 
me his dying charge, I little thought that so short a 
lapse of time would find so much trouble. Thorstein 
had faith in the oracle, and your people know that 
he meant to have the oracle obeyed. He distinctly 
said so before he died. I know that your father 
meant for you to marry with Isis. He called the 
maiden to his bedside in his last moments for the 
express purpose of placing her hand in yours. I 
know that such was his intention, and your people 
know it. Under all these circumstances, your per- 
sistent attachment to the daughter of Hildegunna 
appears criminal and insane. If you have so far 
resolved upon your course that you will not listen to 
the demand of the citizens, and if, furthermore, you 
are determined to go forth from Warvalla in search 
of the maiden, you cannot expect to return in 
peace." 


All Empty Throne. 


145 


Do you fear that my throne will be seized ?’* 
demanded the king. 

It may be so, sire.” 

‘‘ Then so be it. But, good Thorwald, woe be unto 
him who sitteth thereon.” 

“Ah, sire, you forget that the gods are against 
you.” 

“ Enough, enough, Thorwald. I want no more of 
that. The time shall come when the people of Nor- 
mandy will know who hath expounded unto them 
the will of the gods. But I will say no more at 
present. You will not try to prevent my leaving 
Warvalla ?” 

“If you depart immediately, sire, you may do so 
in safety. But I tell you frankly, you must go 
secretly. Since you are not to be turned from the 
purpose, I will help you so far.” 

“ I thank you, good Thorwald, for your kindness, 
and, lest you should indulge the thought that I may 
return bootless from my mission, I will frankly con- 
fess to you the sentiments of my deepest soul.” The 
youthful monarch spoke in a deep, fervent tone, and 
his lips quivered with emotion, as he continued ; 
“The lovely Clotilda has been my companion since 
earliest childhood, and long ago was the plan 
arranged by my father that she should be my wife. 
I have loved her with a devotion that underlies my 
very life, and my whole heart is bound up in her. 
In short, the hopes of heaven itself are not more 
fraught with visions of future bliss than are the 
hopes I have held of union with Clotilda. You may 
call it foolish, you may call it insane ; but neverthe- 


146 


Rollo of Normandy , 


less, I prize the love of the true and virtuous maiden 
above the throne of Normandy ; and were the choice 
given me to-day, between the Norman throne and 
the daughter of our lamented Kodran, I should give 
up the throne and obey the instincts of my heart. 
Thorwald, you have a wife ?’* 

Yes, sire.*’ 

“ And you love her ?” 

As the very apple of my eye.” 

‘‘And now, Thorwald, suppose that two human 
beasts, like the serfs Gorm and Gudlief, had borne 
your wife away, you knew not whither, only you 
knew that they were sole masters of her fate, how 
would you feel ?” 

The lieutenant quivered and paled with the very 
thought, but made no reply. 

“And suppose, Thorwald, that you were told that 
you must not go in search of the lost one — that you 
might lose your office ?’’ 

Still no reply. 

“And,” pursued the king, in a lower tone, and 
with his eye more strongly fixed, “suppose you knew 
that the priest of Odin had done all this, would you 
not find it in your heart to question his honesty ? I 
ask no answer ; I only ask you to remember that my 
love for the lost maiden is as deep and strong as love 
can be, and now I take my life in my hands, and go 
forth to find her. If, while I am gone, troubles 
arise, I will try and settle them when I come back ; 
and if I do not come back, some other king can be 
found who will rule in Normandy.” 

“ Heaven save you!” ejaculated Thorwald. It was 


An Empty Thro7ie. 


147 


all he could say. He grasped. the hand of his mas- 
ter, and pressed it to his lips, and then turned away 
from the apartment. 

As soon as Rollo had been left alone, he began to 
make preparations for his departure. He knew that 
the people were excited, and that if the priest should 
gain knowledge of his intended movement, serious 
trouble might be the consequence. Ingolf was 
already in waiting with eighteen of his companions, 
and when he reported himself to his master, he was 
directed to go down to the coast and prepare one of 
the lightest and fleetest ships for use. When the 
king was ready to leave the castle, he sought Hilde- 
gunna, and placed her in charge of his most trusty 
female bondwomen, directing that she should not 
expose herself in case of any outbreak. This done, 
he went out into the court, reaching the wall by 
a covered way, and was soon on board the ship, 
which his servants had already prepared. The 
sails were spread and the oars put out, and be- 
fore noon Rollo was well away from the Norman 
coast. 

“ I will not be gone long,’* he said to himself, as 
he stood at the stern and looked back upon the 
town he was leaving in the distance. ‘‘ If I find the 
maiden, I will return before any plan of rebellion 
can be successfully carried out.” Then he turned 
to the prow, and gave directions for steering the 
ship. 

When the sun was at its meridian height, it became 
known in Warvalla that the king had gone, and the 
people demanded of Thorwald that he should tell 


148 


Rollo of Normandy. 


them what it meant. The lieutenant had a strong 
desire to shield his royal master, but he dared not 
make himself a party to any plan of opposition to 
the will of the gods, so he answered the citizens that 
they must seek counsel of the priest of Odin, and 
he, as in duty bound, led them to the temple. 
Thangbrand was at the altar to receive them, but 
before he would give any reply to their questions, 
he sought of Thorwald a knowledge of what had 
transpired. The officer had no thought of deceiving 
the far-seer, and he told whither the king had gone, 
and the purpose of his going, only omitting those 
words of Rollo’s which had reflected upon the 
priestly character. 

‘‘Let the king be pursued,” cried a stout captain, 
named Thorquin. “ I will man my ship, and give 
chase.” 

“ Not yet,” said Thangbrand. “ It is not for the 
subject to bring distress upon the head of the king. 
Leave Rollo to the judgment of heaven. He has 
chosen his path, and I can see plainly where it will 
end. Sure destruction awaits him, and the wrath of 
the gods shall fall heavy upon all who give him aid 
or succor henceforth.” 

“ But,” urged Thorquin, “ I have a right to 
demand redress of the king. Lamac was my brother ; 
we were the only children of our mother, and for 
long years we have been helpers to each other. The 
king slew my brother.” 

“Easy, good captain,” said Thorwald. “You 
know it is not in the law that a subject can demand 
the trial of battle with the king.” 


Aft E^npty Th^^one. 


149 


But Rollo has ceased to be king,” returned 
Thorquin. ‘‘ He hath left his throne, and gone off 
after wickedness.” 

“ Peace, my children,” interrupted the priest. 
“ You, Thorquin, must rest from your vengeance for 
the present. The time may come when you can 
lawfully demand the satisfaction you seek of him 
who was yesterday King of Normandy ; but until 
then listen to the will of the gods, and bow hereto.” 

And who shall be our king ?” asked the captain. 

“Aye,” echoed a score of voices, “who shall be 
our king ?” 

“ My children,” replied Thangbrand, “ let no 
profane hand touch the throne. Leave the decision 
with the gods, and in good time you will know the 
result. Thorwald shall administer justice for the 
present ; and in case of difficulty I will give you my 
assistance. If you walk obedient to the will of Odin, 
you have nothing to fear. The fate of Normandy 
hangs upon the safety of Isis. Odin will designate 
her husband, and when that is done, you will have a 
king.” 

With this information the peopl^ returned to the 
town perfectly satisfied with the result of the con- 
ference. Their faith in the far-seer was unbounded, 
and they verily regarded him as the savior of the 
country ; while, on the other hand, they heaped 
upon their fled king the most bitter curses. They 
listened to the brother of Lamac while he recounted 
the atrocity of the slaying of the brave captain, until 
their minds were fraught with the spirit of direst 
vengeance. 


Rollo of Nor^nandy, 


150 


When the day had drawn to a close the priest 
sought the dwelling of Isis, whom he found alone. 
She received him kindly and reverently, and offered 
him food and drink. He ate sparingly, and while 
he ate he spoke of her mother. 

‘‘ T have heard nothing from her,*’ said Isis. 

I have heard all that can be heard on earth,** 
returned Thangbrand. She is dead ; and we will 
leave her in the hands of offended heaven. Weep 
not for her, my child ; for it is well that she hath 
been taken away. And now,** the priest continued, 
brushing the crumbs from his robe, ‘‘ I have some- 
thing of the utmost importance to say unto you. 
Rollo has fled from Warvalla in pursuit of Clotilda.’* 

‘‘ Then let him flee to the pit of darkness !” cried 
Isis, bitterly. “If I am so frightful that he cannot 
bear me in sight, may the gods put out his eyes, and 
turn his love into gall and wormwood ! I hate him ! 
I loathe him ! I could tear his flesh with these thin 
fingers, and find satisfaction in the deed !** 

“You may spare yourself all anxiety, sweet 
daughter,” said the far-seer, with a nod of the head. 
“ Rollo will not come back to be king of Normandy ; 
so you are not to marry him after all.” 

“ Not marry him ?” echoed the maiden, in surprise 
and with a touch of fear. “ Are the gods to be 
thwarted ?” 

“ Nay, nay, Isis, you speak without thought. How 
can Odin be thwarted ?” 

“ But I was to marry with the king ?” 

“ No — your husband was to be king. I have seen 
from the first more than I have told. I have known 


An Empty Throne. 


151 


that the line of Thorstein was doomed — that his 
blood should fill the veins of no more kings. Rollo 
is false to his gods, and the throne is taken from 
him. You are to be the mother of kings ; and your 
husband shall be the next monarch of Normandy.” 

“And who is to be my husband?” asked Isis. 

“Thy husband is known to me, and the edict is 
spoken.” 

The maiden started. 

“ Who is it ?” 

“ Remember, Isis, this is one of the plans of 
heaven, and we must not question it. Do you know 
Moric, the son of Orm ?” 

“ Moric !” cried the maiden, with another start. 

“ Aye. He is to be your husband.” 

“Moric, the son of Orm !” repeated Isis, as 
though she were afraid of the very name. 

“ Aye. Do you object to him ?” 

“ He is deformed, seer-father ; and his wit is 
weak.” 

“ So much the better,” replied Thangbrand. 
“ Do you not understand the fitness of the thing ? 
With such a husband you will be the monarch. 
While Moric is weak in intellect he is strong in 
body, and will be the father of strong kings. You 
will rule and govern him, and by your fair hands 
the sceptre of Narmandy shall be swayed. Do you 
oppose the union ?” 

Isis loved not the thought of the husband ; but 
she was pleased with the thought of holding the 
sceptre which the great Thorstein had swayed ; and 
she said she would marry with Moric. 


152 


Rollo of Normandy, 


But when ? 

The priest had fixed upon the following day. 

That night, when Isis laid her head upon her 
pillow, she felt lonesome and sad. She did not 
dare to doubt the Oracle as a priest of Odin had 
expounded it ; and yet she could not put away all 
misgivings. 




CHAPTER XIII. 

THE HUNCHBACK MONARCH. 

Near to the shore, where the sea broke over a 
pile of huge rocks, stood the dwelling of Orm. 
Orm had been once a famed warrior of Normandy, 
but age and disease had broken him down, and he 
now lived mostly upon the charities of those who 
had been his companions in arms. He had one 
child, a son, pamed Moric. 

Moric had been deformed from his birth. His 
back was humped ; his limbs were long and gaunt ; 
and his head was of large size. And yet Moric was 
not very repulsive to look upon. The dispropor- 
tions of body were strongly marked, but not mon- 
strously so. He was of dwarfish height, and might 
have filled the niche of physical oddity in the court 
of some fanciful monarch. He had lived to be 
thirty years of age without having accomplished 
anything of particular moment, save the mere sus- 
taining of life and motion. He was seen but very 
little in the town, as he seemed to shun observation ; 
and the general opinion was that he was a simple- 
minded, inoffensive, unfortunate child, worthy of all 


154 


Rollo of Normandy, 


sympathy, and removed from reproach by his 
bodily infirmity. 

Early in the morning, while Orm and his son 
were sitting upon the ground in front of their dwell- 
ing, where the sun could shine upon them, the 
priest of Odin made his appearance, and was soon 
conducted into the house. The old warrior was 
glad to see the priest, and bowed most humbly 
before him. Moric seemed to regard the visitor with 
a certain degree of respect, but he did not show any 
particular emotion of awe or reverence. 

“ Strange and wonderful things are happening,’* 
said Thangbrand, with his hands folded upon his 
breast. 

“ Aye,” responded Orm ; ** I have heard strange 
news. It was told to me last night that the king 
had fled from Normandy.” 

Such is the case, old man,” replied Thangbrand. 
“ He went away in a ship. Do you know why he 
went ?” 

They told me had gone in search of the daughter 
of Hildegunna.” 

They told you truly. Rollo has set at nought 
the commands of heaven, and the result must be 
upon his own head. But our country w’ll not 
suffer. Isis, the daughter of Diana, will take her 
place upon the throne, and her husband will rule 
under the direction of heaven.” 

Who is her husband ?” asked Orm. 

“ She has no husband yet,” returned the priest. 

‘H should like to be her husband,” spoke Moric, 
swaying to and fro in his seat. 


The Hunchback Monarch, 


155 


‘‘Ah,” uttered the priest, with a slight start, 
“ what makes you think so ?” 

“ Because I should then be king of Normandy, 
and that would be grand,” said the humpback. 

“ And what would you do if you were King of 
Normandy ?” the far-seer asked. 

“ I cannot tell the half I would do. But I know 
what I would not do : I would not run away and 
leave my throne.” 

“ Do you think you would obey the will of 
Odin ?” 

“ Of course I should ; for, if I had the throne, I 
should know that no less a power than that of Odin 
had helped me ; so I should be in duty bound to 
obey his slightest nod. O, yes, — if I was king, I’d 
obey Odin right promptly.” 

“ Old man,” said the priest, turning to Orm, “ can 
you not detect the hand of heaven in this ? 

“ In what ?” asked Orm, wonderingly. 

“In this speech of your son.” 

“ I do not understand you, seer-father.” 

“Listen, and you shall hear a most wonderful 
thing. And you, Moric — you must listen, also.” 

The father and son drew near to the priest, and 
listened attentively. 

“You know,” resumed Thangbrand, “all the won- 
derful things that have transpired touching the 
relations betw^een Rollo and Isis ; but that is noth- 
ing to you compared with the revelation which was 
made to me yesterday. It hath been spoken by 
Odin that Moric shall marry with Isis.” 

“ My son !” cried Orm. 


156 


Rollo of Normandy. 


I — marry with Isis repeated Moric. 

“ Yes. So hath Odin spoken.'" 

“ And be King of Normandy ?" said the hump- 
back. 

‘‘You shall sit upon the throne of Normandy, and 
hold the sceptre ; but, in matters of government, 
you will be obedient to the will of heaven as spoken 
through me. It is so revealed to me." 

“But," said Orm, trembling with excitement, 
“ will Isis consent to this ?" 

“ Isis bows to the decree," replied Thangbrand. 
“ I have spoken with her, and she consents. How is 
it with Moric ?" 

“ People call me simple," answered Moric ; “ but 
I am not simple enough to refuse the throne of 
Normandy ; nor will I refuse the hand of the tall, 
dark-eyed maiden." 

“ When is this wonderful thing to come to pass ?" 
asked Orm. 

“ This very day," answered the priest, arising 
from his seat. “ You and your son will repair to 
the temple at noon, and there await the result. Will 
you obey ?" 

The old man bowed his head in token of assent, 
while Moric gave an answer more prompt and 
direct. 

“ Mercy !" broke forth Orm, after Thangbrand 
had gone, “ this passeth my comprehension. It 
cannot be real. We are dreaming, my son." 

“ I don't care for the dream," said Moric, “ if I 
only find myself on the throne when I wake up." 

“ But it is wonderful, my child." 


The Htinchback Monarch. 


157 


“ So are many things wonderful,” returned the 
humpback, with a sort of stolid composure. “When 
Odin starts in the dark moon, and Thor begins to 
ride on the lightning we must expect wonderful 
things. But think of it ; — I shall be the husband of 
the tall, dark-eyed maiden, and she will bow to me. 
It will be grand. You shall be better dressed, my 
father ; and the man who offers us charity shall lose 
his head. Ho, ho, — think of that, too ; I can cut 
off men's heads ! Won't that be grander than all 
the rest ?'' 

“ Moric,'' said the old man, shaking his head, “ you 
don't realize what has happened." 

“Why don't I?" 

“You cannot, or you would be more astonished. 
I am ready to go out of my wits in wonder.'* 

“And I shall find it very convenient to keep what 
few wits I have," retorted the humpback, with a 
shrug of the misshapen shoulders. “ I can't afford 
to expend too much wonder on what the gods do. 
They killed the old king ; they covered up the 
moon ; they carried off poor Diana on a fork of 
lightning ; they ran away with the daughter of 
Hildegunna ; they caused the young king to leave 
his throne ; and now they want me to marry with 
Isis, and be king myself. I think it is all wonderful, 
and all very grand ; and I think I shall be a great 
king. All is, my subjects must beware how they 
insult me. If I find one of them looking at my poor 
back, and can detect a bit of a smile on his face 
while he looks. I'll have his face cut off. But come 


Rollo of Normandy . 


158 


— if we would be at the temple at the appointed 
hour, we must be making preparation/' 

Before noon the news had spread through War- 
valla that Moric, the Deformed, was to sit upon the 
throne of Normandy as the husband of Isis ; and, 
monstrous as it was, the majority of the people 
hailed the tidings with enthusiasm. The very 
deformity which marked the dwarfish candidate was 
set down as a stamp of the gods, and the supersti- 
tious followers of Odin pretended to see the hand of 
heaven in the whole transaction. Moric was the 
only hunchback among all the children of the Nor- 
man warriors ; and the distinction which had 
aforetime subjected him to pity, now raised him into 
communion with the immortals. Even Thangbrand 
himself was surprised when he found how readily the 
citizens bowed to his plan ; and he fancied that a 
long sought object had been finally gained. 

When the sun cast its light so that the shadow of 
the altar fell to the North, the priest led Moric and Isis 
forth from the cavern, and pronounced the marriage 
ceremony. The people, led by their strange 
infatuation, hailed the misshapen dwarf as though 
he had been a victor from the battle-field, or a 
savior sent down from heaven. They followed him 
to the castle of Warvalla ; and when they saw him 
enter the royal abode, with the priest upon one hand 
and Isis upon the other, they felt that their country 
had been saved from impending calamity. 

Just, as the sun was sinking to rest, the far-seer 
appeared upon the terrace, and extended his hands 
towards the assembled multitude, 


The Htmchback Monarch, 


^59 


‘^Children/’ he said, when the noise had been 
hushed, you now have a king in whom you may 
place your trust ; for great Odin hath promised 
that he will guide and direct all things for the good 
of his faithful followers. Moric will receive wisdom 
from heaven, and his judgments shall be tempered 
with such mercy as is meet.’’ 

Two old men, who stood apart from the crowd, 
and whose lighter features betokened them to be of 
Saxon origin, walked away with shaking heads. 

Thangbrand is king of Normandy !” said one of 
them, when he knew that none but his companion 
could hear him. 

Yes,” said the other ; ‘‘such is the case. Dark 
days are coming for his people if Rollo does not 
return.” 

“ Ah,” replied the first speaker, “ I fear that happy 
days can never come. The son of Thorstein can 
only come to his death, if he returns to Normandy. 
I have feared the result from the first. Thangbrand 
has been the enemy.” 

“ And yet,” said the other, thoughtfully, “ I can- 
not understand the priest’s motive ; for it is evident 
that his first intent was for the marrying of Isis with 
Rollo. There is something mysterious about it.” 

“ So there is,” responded the first ; “ but the mys- 
tery is not so dark but that the evil design can 
appear.” 

And the two old men shook their heads and 
walked on. 

And these two were not the only ones who fore- 
saw the darkness to come. Others feared the power 


i6o 


Rollo of Normandy. 


of the priest, but dared not let their fears be known. 
There were many in Warvalla who still loved their 
absent king, and who would have been pleased to 
see him back, safe and well, upon the throne ; but 
they kept their thoughts to themselves, and made a 
show of allegiance to the hunchbacked monarch. 

Isis, when she gave her hand to Moric, fancied 
that she would rule him as she pleased. Thang- 
brand said unto her : 

‘‘ Give Moric wine and fine garments, and let him 
have horses to ride, and willing servants to wait 
upon him, and he will leave us to manage the affairs 
of the kingdom.” 

But in this both Thangbrand and Isis were some- 
what mistaken. They had not only mistaken the 
amount of Moric’s understanding, but they had sadly 
mistaken the direction of his ambition. When he 
had been one short week in the castle, he had shown 
himself a master and a tyrant ; and a large part of 
his time was spent in learning the science of arms, 
for already did he pant for war and conquest. 

One day, as he walked in a corridor, in company 
with some of his guards, he saw a woman pass not 
far off. He asked who she was. 

“ It is Hildegunna,” replied Gaffel, who now served 
the new ruler. 

What !” cried Moric, stopping short in his walk. 

Is it the mother of Clotilda ?” 

‘‘ Yes, sire.” 

** What does she here ?” 

‘‘ Rollo left her here, sire.” 

‘‘ She is the mother of the maiden who was once a 


The Htinchback Monarch, 


i6t 


rival to my wife. How dared you allow her to 
remain here after I came in ?” 

This was addressed to Gaffel, and he was forced to 
reply : 

I have had nothing to do, sire, with her remain- 
ing here.” 

Who has had to do with it ?” demanded Moric, 
growing red in the face. 

don’t know,” was Gaffel’s answer. 

Look ye. Master Gaffel ; you have a sharp sword 
and a strong arm. Go and cut off Hildegunna’s 
head, and bring it hither.” 

The bondman stood aghast. 

You are not serious, sire.” 

By the gods, I am ! Go bring me the head of 
Hildegunna. She was doomed long ago. Do you 
hesitate ?” 

Mercy, sire. Let some — ” 

Hold !” exclaimed the hunchback monarch, 
snatching his sword from its scabbard. I will hear 
no more. Thus fall all serfs who disobey Moric !” 

As he spoke, he dealt a keenly aimed, furious 
blow, that severed Gaffel’s head from the body ; and 
when he had done it, he acted as though he were 
well pleased with the operation. 

“Take away the carcass,” he said, turning to 
another serf ; and then he wiped his sword and 
put it up. 

“ Thorwald,” he continued, making a motion for 
the lieutenant to approach him ; “go you and take 
care of Hildegunna ; and then find me another to 
take the place of Gaffel.” 


i 62 


Rollo of Normandy. 


The lieutenant withdrew ; and when he had found 
the widow, he told her what had transpired, and 
bade her prepare at once to leave the castle. He 
would conduct her to a place of safety. Trembling 
with fear she obeyed him ; and when she had so 
covered her form and features as not to be easily 
recognized, he led her away to the dwelling of a 
friend in whose fidelity he could with safety confide. 

After this Thorwald sought the priest, to whom he 
related what had transpired. 

“You did right in removing the widow,“ said 
Thangbrand ; “ but yet Moric has done nothing 
absolutely wrong. He knows that Hildegunna is an 
enemy of our religion, and that her presence is dan- 
gerous. She ought not to have been allowed to 
remain in the castle. You did right, because a pro- 
ceeding so summary as that which the king would 
have instituted might have shocked the people. I 
will see him, and restrain his impetuous dealing.’* 
The priest visited the king, and spent an hour 
with him ; and Moric promised that he would be 
more guarded in his course. 

As yet the people of Warvalla had no occasion to 
complain, for thus far the tyrant’s cruelty had been 
confined to his own household. But those whose 
business called them to the castle began to shake 
th^ir heads with doubt. Thorwald even went so 
far as to remember what Rollo had said concern- 
ing the priest of Odin ; and, revolving the saying 
over in his mind many times, he at length came to 
wonder if his young master might not have been 
right. 


The Hunchback Monarch. 


163 


One man had been missed from Warvalla for two 
or three days. Thorwald sought him, but could not 
find him. 

Where was Thorquin, the sea-captain ? 

It was told to Thorwald that Thorquin had gone 
away in his ship, with a large crew of well-armed 
men. The hunchback king had sent him off. 

The lieutenant shook his head again. He knew 
that the brother of dead Lamac had been sent to 
search for Rollo ; and if the royal son of Thorstein 
were taken, what should be the result ! 

Moric did not feel easy on his throne while he 
knew that Rollo lived ! 



1 



CHAPTER XIV. 

A DRAWING OF LOTS. 

It was a blessed thing for Clotilda that she had 
employment for her generous heart and hands. It 
diverted her thoughts from the direful calamity 
that had befallen her, and gave strength to her soul. 
And it may have done more ; aye — much more. 

Gorm and Gudlief plied their oars tirelessly, keep- 
ing the North star just over the larboard bow, and 
occasionally passing a few words in an undertone. 
They bent to the work as though they knew what 
they were doing, and whither they were going. 

In the meantime Diana was returning to conscious- 
ness. In a little while after the moonbeams shone 
into her opening eyes, she raised her hand and placed 
it upon Clotilda’s arm. 

Isis.” 

‘Ht is not Isis,” returned the maiden. 

Diana did not speak again for some moments. She 
closed her eyes, and slowly moved her hand to where 
her bosom had been wounded. 

“ Where am I V* were the next words. 



A Drawing of Lots, 


165 


Do you know where you have been ?” asked 
Clotilda. 

‘‘ I have been — 

The stricken woman stopped as though some 
returning thought of her own had startled her, and 
from this point she slowly and surely returned to 
reason. She recognized Clotilda, and was able to 
understand where she was, and how she had been 
found upon the shore. And when all this had been 
explained to her, she was asked how she met with 
the accident, but she did not tell. She did not say 
that she was ignorant upon that point, but seemed 
rather to shun the subject. She was still weak and 
in pain ; and Clotilda did not urge many questions 
upon her. 

It was very near morning when the serfs turned 
their boat to the shore ; and they landed at a point 
where a dense forest came almost down to the water’s 
edge. After Diana had been taken to a mossy knoll^ 
Gudlief approached, and knelt by her side, and 
asked her if she knew him. 

“ It is Gudlief,” she replied. ‘‘ Clotilda told me 
who had saved me.” 

“And do you know why I saved you ?” 

“ Because your heart could not forget its grati- 
tude.” 

“ You are right, Diana. I remembered how you 
saved me when my life was in danger, and when I 
had no other friend on earth ; and I determined 
that I would save you. When you are strong 
enough, you shall return to Warvalla. I think I can 
nurse you so that you will get well,” 


]66 


Rollo of Normandy. 


You will not take Clotilda from me/* said the 
suffering woman. 

The maiden is not under my control,** returned 
Gudleif. 

‘‘ And yet, O, my friend, you can retain her. I 
bless you for your kindness, and I would have you 
remain by me ; but the maiden must not leave me.** 
“ We will see about that,** said Gudlief, as though 
anxious to change the subject. And now will you 
tell me how you came upon the shore where I found 
you ?** 

The woman closed her eyes, and passed her hand 
across her brow. I fell from the high, steep bank 
into the river,** she answered. 

But how came those wounds upon you ?** 

“ Perhaps the sharp points of the rocks cut my 
flesh. I think there were many rocks where I fell. 
But I don’t believe the wounds are very bad. Clo- 
tilda will examine them when daylight comes.** 

“ I don’t doubt you, good Diana ; but I had mis- 
trusted something different from that.** 

‘‘ What had you mistrusted ?** asked the sufferer, 
looking up suddenly. 

I had mistrusted that you had an enemy.** 

“ An enemy ?** 

“ Yes. The daughter of Hildegunna had an 
enemy ; and why may not the mother of Isis have 
one too.** 

Diana gazed eagerly into the bondman’s face, and 
a convulsive shudder shook her frame. 

I will not force unpleasant questions,** Gudlief 
added, when he saw the effect which his words had 


A Drawing of Lots. 


167 


produced. ‘‘ I mean to help you, and not distress 
you.*' 

Then you will not move Clotilda away?" 

“ I cannot tell. We will see about it when the 
time comes." 

With these words Gudlief turned away, and joined 
his companion, who was engaged in securing his 
boat. Gorm was ill-natured and sulky, arid Gudlief 
did not try to improve his disposition. 

By and by the daylight came, and Clotilda pro- 
ceeded to examine Diana's wounds. One of them 
was upon the shoulder, and the instrument which 
had made it had evidently turned backward, and 
glanced down behind the shoulder-blade. The 
other, upon the breast, made by the same instru- 
ment, followed the breast-bone in the same way. 
Gudlief came and looked at them, and stood by 
while Clotilda was dressing them ; and when she 
came to prepare and apply the bandages, he helped 
her. 

Gorm passed that way, and sneered at his com- 
panion for helping nurse a sick woman. Gudlief 
bit his lip and held his tongue. Fora single instant 
the sneer called a flush of shame to his dark cheek ; 
but it was quickly gone, and he bent again to his 
merciful work. As he watched the delicate fingers 
of the maiden, and listened to her sweet, soothing 
words, he seemed to feel new emotions stirring 
within him. And when she turned her speech to 
him, asking his help, and thanking him when it was 
rendered — thanking him so frankly, with the warm 
light of her beautiful eyes beaming upon him — he 


1 68 


Rollo of Normandy. 


felt a softening influence stealing about his heart 
which had not been there before. Gratitude to the 
poor sufferer for the good she had once done him, 
had moved his heart to kindness ; and the labor of 
love was lifting the better part of him out from its 
dormant slumber. He knelt there until the wounds 
had been dressed, and when his assistance was no 
more needed he rose to leave, but Diana held him 
back. 

‘‘ Good Gudlief,” she said, I shall get well, and 
I shall live to bless you for your kindness. Gudlief 
shall not be friendless while Diana lives !’* 

‘‘ And Diana shall not be friendless while Gudlief 
lives responded the serf, as he turned and walked 
away. 

When Gorm had prepared breakfast from the 
simple food he had brought with him in the boat, 
Diana was able to sit up and eat. 

“You’re getting well,” said Gorm, abruptly. 

“ I do not think I am dangerously hurt,” replied 
Diana, to whom the remark had been addressed. 

“ No — I think you are perfectly safe. I hope I 
may never be worse off than you are now. I sup- 
pose you’ll go back to Warvalla when Gudlief 
goes ?” 

The woman made no reply to this. There was 
something in the look and tone of the serf that 
frightened her, and instinctively she turned an 
imploring glance upon her friend. 

“ It was very lucky for you, my woman,” the 
brute continued, “ that Gudlief happened to find 


A Drawing of Lots. 


169 


you ; for I assure you I shouldn’t have picked you 
up.” 

Perhaps you would, if I had, at some former 
period, saved your life,” ventured Diana. 

‘‘ I don’t know,” said Gorm, shaking his head. 

But I know,” cried Gudlief. He would not 
have helped his own mother.” 

‘‘ Not when I had business on my hands of 
greater importance,” retorted Gorm. ^‘But some 
men can be as weak as women. Bah 1” 

Gudlief’s eyes flashed ; but he held his temper, 
and went on with his breakfast ; though the quiver 
of the nether lip, and the nervous clutching of the 
hands, were not so easily subdued. 

After the meal was finished, and the fragments 
had been put back into the boat, Gorm drew his 
companion aside for the purpose of arranging for 
their future movements. 

I suppose,” said Gorm, that you mean to stick 
by the sick woman ?” 

“Until she is in better hands I certainly shall,” 
replied Gudlief. “I don’t know what you think 
about it, nor do I care. I don’t pretend to be very 
tender-hearted ; but I am a human being, and can 
feel something of gratitude. So I shall remain by 
the poor woman until I can see her well provided 
for in some other way.” 

“That is just what I supposed you would do,” 
resumed Gorm, “and I don’t know as I wonder at 
it, nor do I blame you. When I think of the matter, 
I don’t know but I might have done the same under 
like circumstances. But, Gudlief, as you only came 


Rollo of Normandy . 


1 70 


to assist me in getting away from Warvalla, and as 
we have now got safely away, there is no need that 
we should remain longer together. Of course you 
understand T* 

Yes.'* 

“ You know that the maiden was given to me, and 
that you were hired to help me as I might need ?” 
Yes." 

“And you understand that you are your own 
master after I have done with you." 

“ I think I do," said Gudlief, significantly. 

“ Then," pursued Gorm, “ we may as well sepa- 
rate here. You have your charge, and I have mine. 
While you are playing the nurse for Diana, I shall 
be enjoying the charms of the fair daughter of 
Hildegunna. Ah, I tell you, Gudlief, such a prize 
does not often fall to human lot, or, at least, not to 
the lot of men like you and me." 

At another time Gudlief would probably have 
heard this allusion to the maiden without any emo- 
tion save that of envy, but now it fairly made him 
shudder. In fact, he was surprised at his own feel- 
ings. He discovered that a warm sympathy had 
crept into his heart, and when he was called upon to 
consider the subject of Clotilda's desolation, some- 
thing within started up in rebellion. She had spoken 
kindly to him — had spoken to him as though he 
were a man and a brother — had assisted him in a work 
of mercy, and thus had she won him for a friend. 
But he did not mean that his companion should 
know his feelings before there was need of it, for he 


A Drazving of Lots. 


171 


had not yet fully decided upon the course he would 
pursue. 

‘‘What do you mean to do with the maiden ?” he 
asked, in a careless tone. 

“ She is mine, to do with as I please,’* replied 
Gorm, gloatingly. “ I have 'been a serf all my life ; 
I was once the serf of this maiden’s father, and after- 
wards the serf of her mother, and I can remember 
that I suffered while I was there. I was punished.” 

“For what?” asked Gudlief. 

“ For making free with this very maiden. I was 
punished, and then sold to a fisherman. But I am 
glad of it, Gudlief — I am glad of it, for now I shall 
find my vengeance all the sweeter. Ah, my sweet 
lady Clotilda shall have a stout lover in place of the 
young king. Won’t it be grand ?” 

The beast rubbed his hands and chuckled in fiend- 
ish delight, and once more Gudlief felt the strange 
shudder creeping over him — strange to him who had 
never felt such emotions before. 

“ You can remain here and nurse your sick 
woman,” continued Gorm, “ and I will take the boat 
and carry my prize to some other place.” 

“ I thought this was the point where you were to 
land,” said Gudlief. 

“ So it was, but I am not going to remain here with 
you. I have taken a fancy that I’ll have the maiden 
away from this.” 

“ If your only object is to get rid of Diana and 
myself, why not let us take the boat, and you remain 
here? There is a fruitful country not many leagues 


172 


Rollo of Normandy. 


away, where you will find shelter, and which can be 
easily reached.’* 

At first Gorm was inclined to treat this proposition 
with contempt, but when he came to think of it he 
changed his mind. Perhaps he thought it might be 
policy not to oppose his companion too much. 

Upon my life, Gudlief,” he said, ‘‘I don’t know 
what to say. I should like the boat, and yet I am 
not so very particular. But I’ll tell you what we 
will do : We’ll draw lots, and he who is successful 
shall have the boat. What say you ?” 

To this Gudlief was agreed, and Gorm proceeded 
straightway to prepare for the trial: He broke two 
sticks of unequal lengths, and stuck them down into 
the sand, and then called for his companion to come 
and pull one of them up. 

‘‘ If you pull up the longest one, you take the boat 
and go away. If you pull up the shortest one, you 
remain on shore, and I take the boat. Do you 
understand ?” 

Yes.” 

‘‘ And are you agreed ?” 

‘‘ Yes.” 

“Then make the trial.” 

Gudlief advanced and bent over the sticks. They 
looked exactly alike, and presented the same length 
above the surface of the sand. He hoped to draw 
the longest one, for he wanted the boat. He had a 
faint idea that, if he had the boat, he might in some 
way help the maiden. He might go away with 
Diana, and, having left her in a place of safety, 
return at night and steal away Clotilda. It was but 


A Drawing of Lots. 


173 


a vague idea, rising upon impulse, but it was enough 
to warm him with anxiety. 

There is no use in looking at them,'' cried Gorm. 

One of them is longer than the other. Get it if 
you can." 

Gudlief seized a stick, and drew it out. 

“ Mine is the longest," said Gorm, as he drew forth 
the remaining one. ‘‘Do you see ?" 

Yes, Gudlief saw it very plainly. He had drawn 
the shortest lot, and was consequently to remain on 
shore. 

“ The boat is mine," Gorm continued, as he threw 
the stick away, “and I think I’ll put off at once. The 
weather is fine, and the wind is now in just the right 
direction to help me along. I can make a good sail 
before the sun goes down." 

“ Whither will you go ?" 

“ Never mind, Gudlief. I don’t choose to be fol- 
lowed, so I won’t expose my course. You can nurse 
your patient as you please. You can go over into 
the adjacent country, or you can find your way back 
to Warvalla. Only I think I’ll give one little piece 
of advice for the benefit of Diana. If she has a desire 
to save the head she now wears, she had better keep 
away from Warvalla." 

Gudlief intimated that he understood all that. 

“And now," said Gorm, as though his business 
was about finished, “ go and look to your sick woman, 
for she will need you." 

Thus speaking, Gorm turned to where Clotilda 
was sitting by Diana's side, and called her to come 


174 


Rollo of Normandy . 


to him. She dared not disobey, though she went 
reluctantly, and with much trembling. 

Come, pretty one — you are to go with me in the 
boat.*’ 

“You will not take me from Diana!” cried 
Clotilda. 

“ I have nothing to do with Diana. Gudlief will 
stay and take care of her. You are going with me 
in the boat.” 

The maiden clasped her hands and sank upon her 
knees. 

“ In Heaven’s name I” she prayed, “ don’t tear me 
away !” 

“ I shall not tear you away. You are going as you 
ought to go.” 

“ Mercy ! mercy !” 

“It’s no use, my fine lady. You are my servant 
now. You are my serf — mine, body and soul. I 
shall do with you as I please. Gudlief and I have 
drawn lots. He remains here with his prize, and I 
am to take the boat and carry my prize off. Come — 
I am all ready.” 

“ No I no ! no !” cried Diana, raising her voice in 
prayerful entreaty. “Do not take her away from 
me.” 

Gorm’s only answer to this was an oath. 

Then Diana turned to Gudlief. Could he not help 
them ? 

But Gudlief made no reply. He stood leaning 
against a tree, with his arms folded upon his bosom. 

“ O, good Gudlief 1” cried Clotilda, turning her 


A Drawing of Lots, 


^75 


clasped hands towards him, can you not help me ? 
O, you will have mercy ?’* 

Gudlief is not such a fool,” said Gorm. He has 
his own affairs to attend to, and he knows better 
than to meddle with mine. Now come. I have no 
time to waste.” 

The serf seized the shrinking maiden by the arm 
and lifted her to her feet. She cried out anew for 
mercy — cried as though struggling with death — but 
Gorm gave no heed to her entreaties. He dragged 
her towards the boat, telling her once more that she 
was his, and that he possessed her very life — dragged 
her mercilessly down the green bank, upon the sand, 
and lifted her into the boat as though she had been 
some forest game that he had hunted down. 



/ 



A CHAMPION. 


Diana, when she saw the maiden dragged down 
upon the shore, would have started forward to the 
scene had not Gudlief held her back. 

It can be of no use,’' he said. Gorm is not to 
be persuaded by woman’s entreaties.” 

He must not take Clotilda away. O, she will 
die ! Whither is he going ?” 

I do not know.” 

‘‘ But he is to be her master ?” 

Yes.” 

And he will take her where no friend can inter- 
fere to help her ?” 
think so.” 

‘‘You will not see it done, Gudlief.” 

“ How can I help it ?” 

“ Help it as I would help it, if I had strength,” 
returned Diana, with a convulsive quiver. “ O ! 
woman as I am, I would set my life at the task if I 
could. Gudlief, you will not see the wicked man 
triumph. You are strong, and you have weapons. 
In the name of heaven, help the poor maiden !” 


A Champion. 177 


Gudlief bent his head, and pulled up bits of grass 
with his fingers. 

“ Gudlief ! — good Gudlief !’* plead Diana, with 
her clasped hands raised towards him, listen to 
this our prayer : ‘‘ If you will save Clotilda, I will 
bless you while I live. O, you have some generous 
feeling — some sympathy — for you have shown it to 
me. Then be generous now — be noble ; and in the 
time to come the memory of this deed shall be pleas- 
ant to you.’' 

The bondman trembled, and his lips moved as 
though he were communing with himself. Diana 
saw the signs of emotion, and she laid her hand upon 
his arm. Her eyes were filled with tears, and her 
voice was touched with a thrilling power. 

‘‘Gudlief, if you will save the maiden, you will 
never regret it. Heaven will bless you, and your 
own soul will thank you. In mercy’s name, do not 
delay. See — he has already placed her in the boat, 
and he will soon be beyond your reach. Will you 
not do the blessed deed ?” 

The bondman was surely wavering. 

“ Gorm hath not used me as he should,” he mut- 
tered to himself. “ He hath pushed me harshly, and 
given me cause of offence.” 

“ See ! see !” cried Diana, pointing to the boat. 
“ See that look of agony upon the maiden’s face, 
and hear her call for help. O, Gudlief, .if you were 
sick she would nurse you as though she were your 
own child. See ! see ! O, I cannot behold it ! Let 
me go — let me go — I will do what I can.” 


178 


Rollo of Normandy, 


“Peace, Diana. You will kill yourself. You are 
not fit for such exertiono” 

“ Then let me die. I would rather die than live 
to behold the consummatioa of so foul a deed. The 
maiden will die if she goes with that brutal man. 
Her heart is breaking now. Unhand me, and let 
me go. If Clotilda is to be sacrificed thus, I care 
not to outlive the scene !“ 

“ Sit down,“ said Gudlief, in a whisper. “ I am 
going to speak with Gorm. Don’t detain me with 
questions, but sit still where you are.” 

Thus speaking Gudlief turned and moved down 
towards the boat. His step was not hurried ; but it 
was heavy and firm, as though each footfall were a 
pledge of some stern purpose. When he reached 
the shore his companion was just ready to push off 
the boat. 

“ Gorm,” he said, “ shall we not have the maiden 
yet awhile longer to bear company with Diana ?” 

“ Why do you ask me that ?” demanded Gorm, 
turning upon Gudlief with a look of indignant sur- 
prise. 

“ Because Diana wishes that Clotilda should 
remain with her.” 

“ By the gods, Gudlief, you must be a fool ! Go 
back and tell the woman that she had better thank 
me for what I have already allowed.” 

The maiden was in the boat, upon her knees, with 
her hands clasped before her ; and as Gudlief looked 
towards her, there came forth from her swollen eyes 
a glance of prayer and of agony that went straight 
to his soul. 


A Champion, 


179 


‘‘ Gorm/* he cried, stamping his foot upon the 
sand, ‘‘ I want the girl to remain with me/' 

Ha, ha, Master Gudlief, — now you tell the truth. 
You want her !” 

No, no, Gorm, — I do not mean that. I have no 
desire to harm the daughter of Hildegunna. Were 
she dropped into my arms at this moment, and 
forced to spend one whole year with me, all alone, 
in this forest, I would give her back to her mother 
at the end of the time as safe and peaceful as I found 
her." 

Bah ! You are a liar !" retorted Gorm, clapping 
his hands derisively. 

“ And you are a villain !" said Gudlief, calmly. 

“ By the dead Balder," hissed Gorm, letting his 
hand fall upon his sword-hilt, “ if I thought you were 
in earnest I would smite you where you stand." 

You can have the opportunity," returned Gud- 
lief, drawing his sword. 

“Bah ! You are crazy. If I kill you who is to 
take care of Diana ?"* 

“ If Clotilda is to be your serf, Diana does not 
wish to live." 

This reply, spoken so calmly, and with drawn 
sword, seemed to open Gorm's eyes. 

^^Ha !' he uttered, bending forward, “you have 
come down to try me. You mean to prevent me 
from carrying off my prize. Speak, — ^^is it not so ?" 

“Yes," answered Gudlief, in a hushed tone. 
“You must not take the maiden away." 

“ Will you try to prevent me ?" 

“ If you seek to carry her off, yes." 


i8o 


Rollo of Normandy . 


‘‘Gudlief, you do not mean this. You are not 
such a fool. You do not wish to fight with me.” 

‘‘The maiden must remain with Diana.” 

“Then,” cried Gorm, advancing with uplifted 
sword, “ Diana may die here in the woods, for her 
nurse is a dead man. I have borne enough, and if 
you seek this end, then let the result be upon your 
own head !” 

Gudlief was prepared for the onset — he had been 
prepared from the first. The opening of his heart 
by the labor of love he had done for Diana, had 
given entrance to human feelings, and the old ugli- 
ness of the embruted serf had been forced aside. 
His communion with the maiden over the work of 
nursing the suffering woman had awakened keen 
sympathies in his bosom, and had transformed him 
into a champion of good. When he started from 
Diana's side, he had resolved that he would save 
Clotilda, or perish in the attempt. 

“ Gorm,” he said, taking just one backward step, 
“ if you advance upon me, I shall kill you !” 

“ Then here is your opportunity.” And as Gorm 
thus spoke he made a thrust at his antagonist. 

Both the swords were short, heavy weapons, with 
straight blades, and sharp. Gorm was the largest 
man, and the strongest, but he was also the most 
clumsy, and moved by the most passion. The very 
nature of Gudlief's mission tended to render him 
cool and considerate, and he had no difficulty in 
warding off the first blow. 

“ Will you stand there and be killed ?” demanded 
Gorm, as he recovered himself. 


A Champion. 


i8i 


“ I shall do as I have said I would do/' was Gud- 
lief's reply. “You shall not carry away the maiden 
while I live. You can do next as you please." 

With an oath Gorm made a more furious attack, 
and directly the contest was commenced in earnest. 
They handled their weapons with more skill than 
might have been expected, and for some minutes 
the blows fell only upon steel for steel. Gorm, wdth 
furious haste, drove his antagonist backward, and it 
seemed as though he was soon to be the victor. But 
Gudlief was not thus driven entirely against his 
will. He had seen fighting enough to know that 
the retreating man was not always the losing 
one. While he moved backward without a wound, 
he was losing nothing but time, and for that he had 
no care. If he lost breath, his antagonist was losing 
as much. By and by Gorm’s point touched Gudlief 
upon the left shoulder, and the blood trickled down 
the bare arm, and in a moment more Gorm himself 
was wounded upon the breast by a sweeping stroke 
that opened the skin at some length, though not 
very deeply. 

“ Have you not had enough ?" asked Gorm, as they 
ceased from the combat, as though by mutual 
consent. 

As Gudlief allowed his point to fall while he took 
breath, he cast his eyes in the direction of the boat, 
where he beheld the maiden upon her knees, with 
her hands clasped toward heaven. He then looked 
in another direction, and saw Diana in the same 
position. He knew that they were praying for him, 
and the thought gave him new courage. He had 


i 82 


Rollo of Normandy. 


given himself as a champion for the maiden, and he 
would not turn traitor to his own purpose. 

‘^Give me Clotilda he said. 

‘‘Do you persist?*' 

“While I live.** 

“ Then when I rest again, it shall be upon your 
dead body.’* 

With this Gorm set on once more, and the com- 
bat became as furious as before. But this time 
Gudlief did not retreat so readily. He stood his 
ground more resolutely, and in a few moments he 
succeeded in wounding his antagonist upon the left 
shoulder. 

“ That is nothing,** said Gorm, as he felt the 
prick. “ Don’t think I am to be killed. My life 
doesn’t lay up there. Ha ! — how’s that ?” 

He gave Gudlief a cut upon the side as he spoke, 
and then laughed derisively. 

Once Gudlief would have cried for mercy, but 
the sight of the helpless women gave him new 
nerve, and he stood up to the bloody work with one 
last resolve. He felt weak, and his arm was growing 
limp, but when he saw that Gorm was as weak as 
he, he felt for the moment stronger. Once, twice, 
thrice, he received the edge of his antagonist’s 
sword upon his flesh, and the warm blood was trick- 
ling down at his feet. The women saw it, and their 
agony broke forth into cries for mercy. 

“ One more cut and both the women will be mine !** 
cried Gorm, in exultant tones. “ One I’ll take away, 
and the other I’ll leave to keep your carcass from 
the vultures !” 


A Champion. 


183 


Like a beast driven to the corner, Gudlief faced 
his foe, and collecting all his energy for one decisive 
effort, he sprang forward with a howl that shook the 
very forest, and drove his sword completely through 
the body of his larger antagonist. He had not the 
strength to draw his weapon from the wound, but 
when Gorm fell backward upon the sand, he tottered 
to the bank, and sank down completely exhausted. 
How long he remained so he could not tell, but when 
he revived he found Clotilda bending over him, 
engaged in dressing his wounds. She brought him 
some fresh water, and when he had drank he felt 
strong enough to walk. None of his wounds wei^ 
very bad, and his faintness had proceeded more from 
the exhausting labor of the battle than from the loss 
of blood. He walked with the maiden to the spot 
where Diana sat, and when he received the blessing 
of the grateful widow, he felt repaid for all he had 
suffered. 

I am not a coward,*' he said, but I will own 
that I was afraid of Gorm. Had it not been so I 
should have opposed him at the outset. He was the 
strongest man among the fishermen, and one of the 
most dangerous. I think heaven helped me in the 
battle.'* 

O, how I prayed for you,** said Diana. 

I did not cease my prayers,’* added Clotilda. 

‘‘ I knew you were praying for me,** returned Gud- 
lief, “and that knowledge gave me strength. Had 
it not been for that, I am sure I should have been 
slain.** 


t84 


Rollo of Normandy, 


But I hope you are in no danger now,” said 
Diana. 

“I think not,” answered the bondman. ‘‘I am 
weak and faint, but it is mostly from fatigue. I 
shall be stronger soon.” 

Clotilda had dressed the wounds carefully, and by 
noon it was settled that they were not likely to give 
much trouble. Towards the middle of the afternoon 
Gudlief scooped out a hole in the sand with one of 
the oars, and buried the body of Gorm, after which 
he returned to where the women were, and entered 
into a consultation concerning their future move- 
ments. 

One thing is sure,” he said ; “we cannot at pres- 
ent use the boat, for I cannot pull an oar. My 
wounded arm is not strong enough. There are 
inhabitants not far distant, and if we can reach them 
we may find shelter.” 

“ We have food in the boat ?” suggested Clotilda. 

“ Yes,” replied Gudlief. 

“ Then let us remain where we are for the present. 
Diana is not yet strong enough to walk far. She 
needs rest and repose, and in a few days she may be 
able to join us in a journey.” 

It was soon settled that the party should remain 
where they were for the present, the thick trees 
affording sufficient shelter from sun and wind, while 
a pure, fresh spring not far off, supplied them with 
water. 

On the morning of the third day from this, Gud- 
lief found himself quite strong and hearty. His 
left arm was lame and sore, and he was forced to 


A Champion. 


185 


suspend it in a sling ; but the wounds promised to 
heal without trouble. This day, like the preceding, 
passed without any unusual occurrence, and when 
evening came the little party were together in the 
ravine where they had fixed their camp. The con- 
versation turned upon the subject of their future 
movements. 

‘‘We shall not ^be able to remain here much 
longer,'' said Gudlief, “ without more provisions. 
Perhaps, in a day or two, I shall be able to work the 
oars ; and then, if you wish, we can return to 
Warvalla." 

“ I know not what to say," returned Clotilda, as the 
remark was addressed to her. “ If I thought it 
would be safe, I would go back. I mean not safety 
to myself alone, but safety for another whom I love. 
Gudlief, you know something of the circumstances 
under which I was brought away." 

“Yes." 

“ Is there any good reason why you should fear to 
tell me all you know about it ?" 

“ I don't know why I should fear, lady. Since we 
have come to be so near as friends, I don't think you 
would ever disclose anything that could harm me." 

“ Of course I could not. I would sooner suffer 
harm myself." 

“ Then I'll tell you what I know. Lamac laid the 
plan for your capture. He engaged Gorm to carry 
you off ; and Gorm engaged me." 

“ I know that Lamac came and removed our 
guard," said Clotilda ; “ and I have supposed that 
he set Gorm to follow in his track. But that is not 


Rollo of Normandy. 


1 86 


all, good Gudlief. Was there not some one behind 
Lamac ?" 

‘‘ I think so/’ 

‘‘Tell me who/’ 

“ It was the priest of Odin.” 

“ I feared it. O, I dare not return to Warvalla. 
Do you wish to return, Diana ?” 

Pale and trembling had the widow listened, and 
when this question was put she started as though 
she had been struck. 

“No, no,” she replied. “Let us find some other 
shelter.” 

“ Ah,” uttered Clotilda, in a whisper, as she caught 
sight of the expression upon the widow’s face, “ do 
you, too, fear the priest ?” 

“ Hush, my child. I will tell you some time.” 

It must have been past midnight when the women 
were awakened from a deep sleep by the voice of 
the bondman. The moon had just arisen, and was 
casting a silvery light over the sea, and the breeze 
was hushed to fitful zephyrs. 

“ We may have to move from this place,” said 
Gudlief, when they were awake. “ A ship is 
approaching, and I think it will land here.” 

Both Diana and Clotilda were upon their feet in 
a moment ; and when they had moved a little way 
out from the ravine, they saw the vessel. 

“It is a Norman ship,” continued the bondman ; 
“and there is no knowing what the danger may be. 
It comes this way.” 

“ I see,” said Clotilda. 

“ And may cast anchor very soon,” added Gudlief. 


A Champion, 


187 


‘‘ They will find our boat if they come on shore, and 
will be likely to search for us. I think we had better 
move further into the forest.'* 

The women had no hesitation in accepting this 
proposition. Diana was not strong enough to walk ; 
so she and Clotilda followed the bondman until he 
had led them to a thicket of small trees, where he 
felt that they would be safe while he went back to 
watch the movements of the ship. 

I will return," he said, “as soon as I find out the 
character of the crew." 

And there the anxious women remained, praying 
fervently that they might be spared from new 
danger. 




CHAPTER XVI. 

NEW ARRIVALS. 

Gudlief was gone over half an hour, and when he 
returned, he found the women anxious to know what 
he had discovered. 

‘‘ Must we flee ?” was Diana's inquiry. 

I don't know," replied the bondman. I am 
going back again very soon, to learn something 
more. I came now to let you know that there is no 
immediate danger. I thought you would be 
uneasy." 

Will the people from the ship land here ?" asked 
Clotilda. 

‘‘ ril tell you," said Gudlief. I hid myself close 
by the bank, where I could watch the movements of 
the ship. She came as near to the shore as was safe, 
and then sent a boat off with four men in it. These 
men landed and looked about, and I heard enough to 
convince me that they were searching for something. 
It may be that they were sent as pioneers to see if it 
would be safe for the ship to anchor here. They 
looked at our boat, and came up the bank a little 
way, and when they had looked through the edge of 



New Ar^nvals, 


189 


the wood, they went back and looked at the boat 
'‘again ; after which, they returned to the ship/' 

And will they come on shore again ?" asked the 
maiden. 

We must not let them find us," said Diana, with 
a shudder. 

‘‘I don’t know," remarked Gudlief, shaking his 
head as though he were sifting his own thoughts. 
‘‘ I don’t think those men would be your enemies. 
The man who took the lead was Ingolf." 

Ingolf?" echoed Clotilda. 

Yes." 

He was Rollo’s most faithful bondman." 

Aye," responded Gudlief ; “ and I should as 
soon expect to see the sun set at midday, as to find 
Ingolf engaged in opposition to the interests of his 
royal master." 

“ But are you sure it was Ingolf ?" 

Just as sure as I am that you are Clotilda." 

O," cried the maiden, “ you ought to have 
spoken with him. If it is Ingolf, he must have been 
sent by Rollo to look for me. You said they seemed 
to be searching for something." 

“Yes, lady, and I was sure they would return 
again. It may be as you have imagined ; but there 
can be no harm in being on the safe side. I will go 
back now, and if I should think it proper, I can hail 
the ship." 

Diana was not quite sure that it would be policy 
to expose themselves until they knew something 
more concerning Ingolf’s mission, and who his com- 
panions might be. 


Rollo of Normandy. 


190 


“A designing man, like the priest of Odin,” she 
said, ‘‘ might send a friend of Rollo’s as a bait to 
lure us to capture. Be circumspect, Gudlief, even 
at a risk of losing some advantage.” 

The bondman promised that he would run no 
great risk of danger, and then went away again to 
watch the movements of the ship. 

Another half-hour passed, and the waiting ones 
were becoming once more anxious and uneasy. At 
length, however, the sound of approaching footsteps 
was heard, and presently Gudlief made his appear- 
ance. But he was not alone. Behind him came a 
lightly moving figure, with tread scarcely percep- 
tible beside the heavy footfall of the bondman. Clo- 
tilda did not need to see the face, nor to hear the 
voice ; she knew the form — she knew the noble 
bearing of the head. 

Where is my heart’s love — my only earthly treas- 
ure ?” cried the voice of the new comer. 

Clotilda sprang towards him, and was clasped to 
his bosom. 

Are you safe ?” 

“ Safe and unharmed, dear Rollo.” 

‘‘ Heaven be praised for that ! O, Clotilda, had 
harm come upon thee, I think I should have died ! 
Ye gods ! no mortal can ever know what I have suf- 
fered. When I knew that you had been cast into 
the hands of Gorm, my heart was racked until reason 
came near leaving me. But I know all now. Gud- 
lief has told to me the story of your deliverance.” 

“ But you do not know how true and faithful Gud- 
lief has been,” said Clotilda, with warm enthusiasm, 


New Arrivals. 


191 


He has not only saved our lives, but he has done 
it at the risk of his own. O, Rollo, he has been very 
good to us !’' 

At that moment the poor serf had a full and rich 
reward for all he had done. When Rollo turned to 
bless him, his head was bowed, and bright drops 
were roiling down his swart cheeks. 

‘‘Good Gudlief,'' the king said, when he saw how 
the bondman was affected, “ I shall not attempt to 
thank you for the good you have done, for I am 
sure no thanks of mine could add to your present 
reward. It is a blessed thing, Gudlief, to feel that 
some one loves us for the good we have done ; and 
I know that that blessing is yours. In the time to 
come, I may be able to prove to you how much I 
appreciate your services.** 

The bondman knew not how to reply, and Diana, 
to relieve him, replied for him : 

“ I think, sire, we may count upon Gudlief*s friend- 
ship ; and I know that he can ask no greater reward 
in the coming time, than to know that he possesses 
the confidence of his sovereign.** 

Gudlief signified a quick assent to this proposi- 
tion, and then turned away, and left the king alone 
with the women. 

Half an hour was spent in conversation, and then 
Diana and Clotilda once more lay down to sleep 
while Rollo went to look after his followers. The 
ship had been anchored near to the shore, and most 
of the crew had landed and were listening to Gud- 
lief’s story, when the king came down. The arrange- 
ments for the few remaining hours of night were 


192 


Rollo of Normandy. 


quickly made, and then Rollo walked apart, engaged 
with his own thoughts. The rest slept, but there 
was no sleep for him. 

The rays of the morning sun were shining in 
through the thick branches when Clotilda awoke, 
and she started up with a sharp cry, as though she 
had seen some fearful thing. 

‘‘ Hush,'" whispered Diana, winding her arm about 
the maiden's shoulders. “You are here with me." 

Clotilda gazed quickly and eagerly around, still 
trembling. 

“O, I have had such a dream, mother." 

“ What did you dream ?" 

“I thought Rollo was here." 

“ That was not a dream, my child. Rollo was 
with us during the night, and is not now far away." 

“ And safe ? — Is he safe V 

“ Yes." 

“ O, how terrible it was. I thought he came here 
— that he was pursued by demons — that he sought 
shelter with us, and that a terrific monster tore him 
from us !" 

At that moment, while the maiden was trembling 
in memory of her terrible dream, Rollo came and 
took her by the hand, and kissed her upon the brow ; 
and in a little while she was calm and reassured. 

Ingolf brought provisions from the ship, and after 
breakfast had been eaten, Rollo sat down with Clo- 
tilda and Diana to consult upon the future. He 
knew nothing of what had transpired in Warvalla 
since he left. 

“ I came away," he said, “ to search for my love. 


Nezv Arrivals. 


19s 


for I could not live under the terrible suspense that 
hung over me. It was worse than lingering death — 
the thought of my heart’s idol in the hands of the 
brutish Gorm. I know that there is danger to me in 
Warvalla, but I did not flee from that danger, nor am 
I afraid to return and meet it. In fact, I owe it as a 
duty to my people to return. I have found you, my 
beloveds, and when I have seen you in a place of 
safety, I can determine upon my own course. I dare 
not take you back to Warvalla now.'* 

“Your own safety would be endangered by my 
presence,'* said Clotilda. “And," she added, hesi- 
tatingly, “ must it not be ever so ?" 

“ I trust not," replied Rollo. “ I know where all 
the trouble is, and I hope heaven will grant me 
power to overcome it. My people of Normandy, if 
left to themselves, would not oppose me. Thang- 
brand, the dark priest of Odin, hath done all the 
mischief. I know it as surely as I know that I live. 
If I could overcome his mystic power, all might be 
well. He hath set himself against me, but where- 
fore I know not. The prophecy touching Isis must 
have had its birth in his own busy brain, for I do 
not believe that any power above that of earth ever 
gaye such an edict. Diana, can you tell me why the 
priest set himself to work out that strange plot ?" 

The woman looked up into the monarch's face, and 
then bent her eyes to the ground. 

“ Perhaps," said Rollo, as she made no reply, “you 
are firm in the faith that heaven ordained the union 
between Isis and myself ?" 

“ Sire," replied Diana, after some further delibera- 


194 


Rollo of Normandy . 


tion, “ I hardly know what answer to make. You 
already know that Thangbrand is mine enemy. I 
think T have told you enough to lead you to that 
conclusion.'* 

“ Yes," returned Rollo. I am led to judge that 
the priest even sought your destruction." 

“ You are right, sire. And I am willing to con- 
fess to you that he feared my influence because I 
did not believe in his honesty." 

‘‘ Ah — had you especial reasons for distrusting 
him, Diana ?" 

Pardon me, sire. At some time I may answer 
you more fully. If you allow me to speak as I feel 
inclined, and not question me beyond my willing- 
ness, I will say a little more." 

“ By my faith, good mother, your tongue shall be 
free. Speak to me freely — speak what you will — 
and I will press you no further." 

‘‘You have said that if you could break the mystic 
power of Thangbrand, you could easily win back 
the affections of your people. But, sire, before you 
can do that, you must gain access to Warvalla. If 
you can regain your castle, and bring me before 
your chief officers, I think I could help you in the 
work. But before that can be done, you must know 
who rules in Warvalla now." 

“ I think," said the king, “that Thorwald rules in 
my castle." 

“ I fear not," returned Diana, shaking her head. 
“ Thorwald was your friend, and I do not think 
Thangbrand would trust him." 

“ Well," cried Rollo, “ I can easily ascertain. Four 


New ^ A rrivals. 


195 


of my serfs shall take the boat and go to Warvalla, 
and observe how things are situated. They can 
land at the mouth of the river, and make their way 
to the town by night.'' 

‘‘ The plan is a good one," said Diana, “and if it 
succeeds, you will know what action next to take." 

“ But," pursued Rollo, “ have you told me all you 
have to tell ?" 

“ All that I can tell now," answered Diana. “ If 
we can return in safety to Warvalla, I may help you 
to break the accursed spell which the priest of Odin 
hath cast upon the people." 

True to his promise, Rollo asked no more, but 
hastened away to find his men, and when he had 
found them he selected four to' go upon the pro- 
posed mission. They were directed to land upon 
the eastern shore of the headland, near the mouth 
of the river, and to cross over to Warvalla by night. 

“You will go singly," he said, “and thus gain 
intelligence from different sources, and when you 
have learned all you can, return to your boat, and 
bring to me the result." 

The men promised that they would obey their 
instructions faithfully, and as soon as possible they 
put off. 

“And now," said Rollo, when he had joined 
Clotilda, “ we will rest easily until my messengers 
return. It may be that they will find rebellion 
triumphant in Normandy, and it may be that I am 
never to occupy the throne again. But, dearest one, 
I shall not repine. Without you, the sceptre would 
be a dead weight in my hands, and the crown but a 


196 


Rollo of Normandy, 


load of disquiet. If I may not reign in Normandy 
with my Clotilda to share my throne, I will seek a 
home in some other land.*' 

‘‘Dear Rollo,** returned the maiden, gazing fondly 
up into his face, “ I could not ask of you such a 
sacrifice, and yet I dare not bid you to reconsider 
your words. Life would be drear to me if you were 
gone, and yet I should be far from happy if I 
thought you sacrificed your own — ** 

“ Hush, sweet one,” interrupted the youthful king, 
raising her hand to his bosom as he spoke. “ I am 
planning for my own happiness, so talk not of 
sacrifices. When I think of your future, I judge it 
as a part inseparable from my own, and what plans 
I make for your happiness are for the good of myself. 
Do you understand me, Clotilda ?’* 

She rested her head upon his bosom, and told him 
that she understood him, and that the knowledge 
made her very happy. 

And so they talked through the day, sometimes 
taking Diana into their confidence, and anon wander- 
ing away alone. It was while walking alone by the 
sea-shore that Rollo alluded to Isis. He won- 
dered if Diana ever had any desire that her daughter 
should marry with him. 

‘* 1 think not,** said Clotilda. “ But, on the con- 
trary, I think she never wished it to be so. She has 
said enough in my hearing to warrant me in forming 
such an opinion.** 

“ Did you ever hear her say anything from which 
you could gather any intelligence touching the 
priest*s meaning in planning for such a marriage T' 


New Arrivals. 


197 


‘‘ No, Rollo. She has been particularly silent upon 
that subject. She shrinks from it when it is 
approached, and seems to shudder when it is brought 
to her thought. There is something very strange 
in it.*' 

‘‘ Something,’* added the king, ‘‘ which is beyond 
my comprehension. In fact, all the relations between 
Isis and the priest are mysterious. But there may 
be light in the fu»ture.'’ 

“ If Thangbrand is a villain and an impostor,” 
said Clotilda, ‘‘ I hope he may be exposed.” 

“ Aye,” replied Rollo, ‘‘ for his exposure would 
result to us for good. But wait. We shall see by 
and by.” 

Towards evening Ingolf prepared supper, and after 
some deliberation it was decided that they would 
spend the night on shore, two men only being kept 
on board the ship to keep watch. Until a late hour 
Rollo and Clotilda remained in conversation, and 
when they finally separated the king said : 

“My messengers may return to-morrow, and until 
then let us anticipate pleasant things.” He kissed 
her, and wished that her sleep might be sweet and 
her dreams happy, and then he left her with Diana. 

It was near midnight before Rollo slept, and 
whatever may have been the character of her dreams, 
his own were not of the most pleasant kind. He had 
been up and down several times, and was just trying 
to free himself from a fearful incubus, when Ingolf 
came and spoke to him. 

“ Sire, I think a ship is approaching the shore.” 


198 


Rollo of Normandy, 


A ship !” cried the king, starting to his feet, and 
rubbing his eyes. 

‘‘ Yes. We have been on the watch, and such 
seems to be the case.** 

“ What is the hour. Ingolf i*’* 

It lacks but a little of day, sire, but the clouds 
are heavy, and the night holds on with its gloom.** 

As quickly as possible Rollo followed his servitor 
to the sea-shore, and just as they reached the water*s 
edge the two men came off who had been left to 
guard the royal barge. But their testimony was not 
needed to convince the king that a strange ship had 
cast anchor near his own, for he could see it plainly. 
It was too dark to distinguish more than that the 
masts of a stranger were defined against the cloudy 
sky, but so much the king*s quick eye detected at a 
glance. 

“What is it ?** was Rollo*s first inquiry. 

“ I don’t know,** replied one of those who had just 
landed. “ We saw it coming ; it passed close under 
our stern, and as its anchor fell we started off in our 
boat to bring you the intelligence. We think, how- 
ever, that it is a Norman ship.** 

“ Did they not hail you ?** 

“No, sire, but we could see the forms of men 
moving upon her deck.** 

What should be done, was a question that occu- 
pied the thoughts of the king. It was not improba- 
ble that some of the Norman captains had been sent 
in quest of himself, and yet he did not apprehend 
any particular danger, ^ 


New Arrivals. 


199 


“It cannot be,“ he said to Ingolf, “ that we have 
anything to fear. What think you ?” 

“It is not for me to advise, sire, yet I feel that you 
cannot be too cautious. 

“At all events,*' continued the chieftain, “we 
will wait till daylight, and then, if danger presents 
itself, we will prepare to meet it. I will not disturb 
the women at present. It may be that anxious 
friends are searching for me." 

“Aye," muttered Ingolf, as he walked away by 
himself, “and it may be that enemies are on the 
search, too !" 




CHAPTER XVII. 

A PRISONER. 

When the light of day at length broke over the 
waters, Rollo discovered that the newly arrived ship 
was one of the largest of the Norman fleet ; and as 
he got sight of the banner which waved at the stern, 
he recognized the colors of Thorquin. 

‘‘ Sire,” spoke Ingolf, the brother of dead Lamac 
is no friend to you.” 

I know it,” replied the king ; “ but still I have 
a mind to wait his coming. The King of Normandy 
flees not from before his own subjects. You will 
remain by me ?” 

‘‘To the last, sire.” 

“ And how is it with the rest ?” 

“You can count upon every life as your own.” 

“ Then surely we have nothing to fear.” 

Rollo went up and saw the women, and told them 
what had happened. 

“ There is no danger,” he said to Clotilda ; “ but 
yet you must not expose yourself. Thorquin must 
not see you here.” 

“ You need not urge the caution upon me,” replied 
the maiden ; “ for I should hide myself for your 
good, if not for my own. But why are these people 
here ?” 


A Prisoner. 


201 


‘‘ Is it not natural that my people should search 
for me, dearest ?’* 

‘‘ Yes ; but I like not this Thorquin. Why should 
he come ?’* 

“ Because he is one of our most experienced cap- 
tains, and is best acquainted with the peculiarities 
of the coast. Be under no apprehension, sweet love. 
I will find out what is wanted, and also learn what 
is transpiring in Warvalla, and then take such course 
as I may deem proper.” 

Diana made no remark during the interview ; but 
sat with her head bowed, as though she wished 
simply to hear and obey. 

At a short distance from the grove the king met 
Gudlief, whom he requested to follow him ; and 
when he had reached a point beyond observation by 
the women, he stopped. 

‘^Gudlief,” he said, for the first time exhibiting 
the undercurrent of apprehension, I think I may 
trust you with my dearest interests.” 

Sire,” replied the bondman, bowing his head rev- 
erently as he commenced, but standing proudly erect 
as he spoke, I can give you my life — that is all.” 

“I do not want your life, Gudlief ; I want some- 
thing of more value than that. I want your truth 
and fidelity. I wish to place a most solemn trust in 
your keeping. You see that ship ?” 

Yes.” 

“ Perhaps you know whose it is ?” 

‘‘ It is Thorquin's.” 

You are right, Gudlief, It is Thorquin’s ; and I 
know that Thorquin has cause for enmity against me. 


202 


Rollo of Normandy . 


in that I slew his brother ; so I am prepared for the 
possibility of danger. Still I do not think there is 
occasion for alarm. I must see these people — I 
must see Thorquin, if he comes on shore — and learn 
what has been done in Warvalla. This I am 
resolved upon. But the women must not be seen by 
the captain ; and into your charge I give them. You 
•will go up, Gudlief, and remain with them, and under 
no circumstances are you to leave them, or allow 
them to expose themselves. Will you remember ?” 

‘‘Yes, sire — and obey.*’ 

“ And you understand. We know not what may 
happen, so consider your orders as fixed. Let what 
will come you are not to suffer either Clotilda or 
Diana to be seen by those who may come from the 
ship. Should the heavens fall, and the earth split, 
you will remain firm.” 

Gudlief promised that all this should be obeyed, 
and he was then left to return to his charge. In the 
meantime the ship had commenced to lengthen out 
the rope which held her to her anchor, and in this 
way she was brought very near to the shore. She 
had one boat, into which the captain and a few 
attendants started for the shore, while the rest of the 
crew leaped into the water, and swam and waded. 

When Rollo saw this he began to think of work. 
There were at least three-score of men coming upon 
him, and he had but just a score with which to meet 
them — a score, counting himself as one. 

“ By the ghost of Balder, sire,” said Ingolf, “ this 
looks dark. What can be Thorquin’s meaning ?” 

“ I know not,” replied the king ; “ but I will ascer- 


A Prisoner. 


203 


tain when he reaches the shore. If he seeks to 
remove me by force, he will not succeed while I 
live. Do you still stand by me ?” 

Yes.’’ 

“ And how is it with the rest? There is room 
with the women ; do any wish to seek it?” 

No — not one of them. They were ready to stand 
by their master to the last. And just as they had 
gathered about him, with their weapons ready for 
use, the boat touched the shore, and Thorquin 
leaped forth upon the sand, followed by his men. 

“ What ho !” he cried, stopping within a few yards 
of where the king stood ; you are the man I seek.” 

‘‘ I am the king,” said Rollo. 

I seek Rollo of Normandy,” returned the cap- 
tain. 

Wherefore ?” 

“ To take him back to the capital.” 

Who has sent for him ?” 

‘‘ The king.” 

“ The king !” repeated Rollo, with a start. 

Aye — the king.” 

‘‘ What mean you. Sir Captain? I do not com- 
prehend you.” 

If you would have me explain, I can do so.” 

Explain to me.” 

‘‘Then listen,” said Thorquin. His tone and 
bearing were proud, even to insolence ; and it was 
plain to be seen that he had no love for the man to 
whom he spoke. “ When you set at defiance the 
will of the gods, and trampled upon the authority 
of Odin’s chosen priest, thus subjecting all Normandy 


204 


Rollo of Normandy. 


to the wrath of heaven, you tore yourself from the 
hearts of your people. And when you fled from 
your throne, in pursuit of a wicked passion, which 
had been forbidden by divine command, you re- 
moved yourself from the allegiance of all who had 
been your subjects. You had betrayed them, and 
proved utterly false. Isis, the daughter of Diana, 
sits upon the throne with her husband; and her hus- 
band is king in your place. And now sir, I am sent 
to bring you back.” 

Who is the husband of Isis ?" 

Moric.” 

‘‘Moric ? what Moric ?” 

“ The son of Orm.” 

‘‘ Out upon thee, Thorquin, for such speech. How 
dare you so pollute the air !” 

‘‘ Do you think I speak falsely ?” 

“ How can it be else than false ? Would the 
people of Normandy submit to such outrage ?” 

“ The people of Normandy submit to the will of 
the gods.” 

‘‘Eternal heavens !” ejaculated Rollo, as the thing 
was forced upon his belief, “ can this be possible ? 
Have my people become so lost and degraded ?” 

“ Peace !” said Thorquin,^ stamping his foot upon 
the ground. “I will not listen to such words. 
Know that the people of Normandy do not follow 
the example set by a recreant king ! It is enough 
for you to be informed that Moric has been raised 
to the throne which you forsook, and that you are 
now to return with me, a prisoner.” 

For a single instant Rollo stood like one thunder- 


A Prisoner. 


205 


struck. The picture of the miserable, ignorant 
hunchback upon his throne — of the people bowing 
thereto — of the vile priest presiding like a demon of 
darkness over the whole — and of himself a hunted 
outcast — this picture, passing vividly before him, 
made his blood boil. 

Thorquin, in due time I will return to my capi- 
tal ; but I shall go when and how I please. You 
can return, and bid the hunchback beware of my 
coming.'* 

Nay, Rollo of Normandy, I can take back no 
such message. You forget yourself. If I were 
not under orders to bring you to Warvalla, I should 
here demand of you the trial to which, by law, I am 
entitled. You slew my brother, and I would now 
challenge you to the combat ; but I set aside the 
right in view of a higher duty. Will you yield 
yourself my prisoner ?’* 

“ No !** replied Rollo, drawing his sword as he 
spoke. 

“ Then,** said Thorquin, drawing his own weapon, 
you will yield to force. Will your men fight ?’* 

‘‘ They will stand by their master.** 

‘‘ Then we’ll find them graves here upon the sea- 
shore. We will not waste time. You are my pris- 
oner !’* 

Had Rollo taken counsel of cool wisdom, he might 
have surrendered ; but even that is not certain ; for 
the thought was with him that a surrender might 
not have warranted him his life. Were he taken 
back to Warvalla a prisoner, his fate might be most 
dismal. 


2o6 


Rollo of Nor7nandy. 


My brave friends,'* he said, turning to his fol- 
lowers, we had better die here than be taken in 
that ship." 

They answered him by drawing around him, with 
their weapons ready. 

In another moment Thorquin had given the word 
to his men, and the shock came. 

“ Rollo of Normandy," said the captain, “ I do not 
wish to kill you, for it is known in Warvalla that I 
bear you deep enmity ; and if you fall by my hand, 
I may be blamed." 

“ Worry not," cried Rollo, in return. ‘‘ Those 
who know the son of Thorstein will know that he 
was not to be dragged against his will. I give you 
chance now to return to your ship." 

I go not without you." 

Then take me !" 

‘‘Such is my purpose." 

With these words Thorquin advanced, and the 
fight began hot. Ingolf was the first to fall. A 
javelin struck him in the temple. And the others of 
the king’s companions were sorely and fatally 
pressed. They fought heroically, but they could do 
nothing against such numbers. And, furthermore, 
they labored under a sad disadvantage. They had 
but few arrows and no javelins ; and the javelins 
of their opponents, hurled with sure aim, fell fatally 
upon them. 

Six men had Rollo cut down with his trenchant 
blade without being able to meet with Thorquin. 
He had thought, at the outset, that the captain 
would be his first opponent ; but it had not proved 


A Prisoner. 


207 


so. Thorquin purposely avoided him ; and ere long 
the reason for this course was apparent. All but 
three of the king’s party had fallen, and they, seeing 
all hope gone, and being stricken with terror, turned 
and fled to the wood ; and in a moment more Rollo 
was surrounded by a score of dark enemies. 

“ Where is Thorquin T' cried our hero, starting 
back a pace. 

He is here,'' replied the captain, moving forward 
among his men. 

Ha, — you fear me, Thorquin. I have looked for 
you, and you have avoided me." 

“ Yes, Rollo ; and I have good reason for it. 
Had we met, one of us must have fallen ; and my 
desire was to carry you to Warvalla." 

“ Let not that excuse come in between us. Sir 
Captain. You spoke of your brother whom I slew. 
Come now, and claim your redress." 

“No," said Thorquin, shaking his head ; “ I must 
not do it. You are my prisoner ; and I would rather 
deliver you into Moric’s hand than slay you." 

“ Coward, I am not yet a prisoner." 

If the king could have found protection for his 
back he might have held his enemies at bay a long 
time, for his keen sword fell with terrific power upon 
all who approached him in front ; but the space 
about him was open, and as the enemy interrupted 
him in the rear, he had no more room for defence. 
His arms were caught at the elbows, and strong 
men bore him to the ground, with their knees upon 
his bosom, in which situation he was bound hand 
and foot. 


2o8 


Rollo of Normandy. 


It has cost something,” muttered Thorquin, as 
lie gazed around upon the dead ; but the prize is a 
valuable one. By the thunders of Thor, but the son 
of Thorstein has a strong arm. I think full half a 
score of my men fell by his hand.” 

As many as that,” replied an under officer, wip- 
ing the sweat and dust from his brow. ‘‘And those 
slaves fought better than I expected. See their 
work. I count five-and-twenty of our brave fellows 
dead.” 

“ And here we must let them lie for the present,” 
said the captain ; “for our prisoner must be taken 
away at once.” 

Rollo uttered no word of complaint, nor did he 
ask any favor at the hands of his captor. He knew 
that he was to be taken to Warvalla, and he would 
reserve his speech for those who might demand it. 
He was taken up by two stout men, and conveyed 
to the boat, and very soon carried to the ship, where 
he was confined in a close apartment, and under a 
strong guard. 

Once, and once only, did Thorquin address him. 
As the young chieftain, whose stout arm had over- 
come the haughty Dane, lay thus in bonds, a pris- 
oner in the ship that had once been his, the dark 
warrior felt his heart touched. 

“ Rollo of Normandy,” he said, as he stood by the 
fallen monarch’s side, after the ship had set sail, 
“ this is no work of my invention. I am your enemy 
because you slew my brother ; but I would not 
revenge myself thus. If the order of one whom I 
dare not disobey had not been upon me, you should 


A Prisoner, 


209 


have had the trial of battle, in which case you might 
have slain Thorquin, and, perhaps, have escaped 
this imprisonment. But heaven ordained it other- 
wise. My men were ordered not to harm your 
person ; and I kept beyond the reach of your sword 
so that I might not be tempted to the combat. I 
shall take you to Warvalla, and deliver you up to 
the king.’* 

I shall ask you one question, Thorquin — ” 

No— no. Ask me nothing, for I will not answer. 
I tell you plainly and frankly — if you had not slain 
my Lamac, I should almost hesitate to deliver you 
into the hunchback’s hands ; for a brave man I like, 
and Rollo is almost too brave. Say no more. Rest 
easy, and my men will not press you.” 

With these words the captain turned away from 
the royal prisoner, and went to attend to the sailing 
of his ship. 

In the meantime how was it with Clotilda and 
Diana ? 

They knew nothing of the arrival of the men from 
the ship until they heard the sound of disturbance 
upon the shore, for Gudlief had given them no warn- 
ing. He had striven to make Clotilda believe 
that the visit of Thorquin could not be dangerous, 
though his success had not been flattering. With 
the sound of strange voices, however, the maiden 
hastened to a point from whence she could see what 
was transpiring down by the water ; and when she 
saw her royal lover, surrounded by his devoted band, 
with the outnumbering force of Thorquin drawn up 


210 


Rollo of Normandy, 


in battle array, she was beside herself with alarm. 
But this was only the shadow of the real evil. 
Directly the conflict began, and she would have 
rushed forth in her mad agony had not Gudlief 
restrained her. 

Dear lady,” plead the bondman, do you forget 
the injunction of the king ? If you are seen, and it is 
known that he is protecting you here, his fate may 
be worse. Can you not see it ?” 

Yes, she could see it ; and she promised that she 
would remain quiet. 

“ Then come away,” said Gudlief. ‘‘ Come back 
to the ravine,* and I will report to you the progress 
of the battle.” 

“ No, no, no — I cannot do that ; I must remain 
here. O ! in heaven’s name is there no help ? See — 
they are bearing down in blood my love’s best men ! 
Gudlief ! Gudlief ! Do you see ?” 

Yes, Gudlief saw it all ; but he could not help it. 
He was bound by a most solemn pledge to remain 
where he was, and he dared do no differently. He 
saw the king’s men cut down ; he saw them fall till 
only three remained ; and he saw those three run to 
the woods. At this juncture, as the young monarch 
was surrounded by his enemies, Clotilda uttered a 
sharp cry of anguish, and started as though she 
would flee to the support of her lover ; and as the 
bondman forcibly restrained her, she sank down 
senseless at his feet, the night of insensibility kindly 
coming to her relief. Gudlief carried her quickly 
and delivered her into Diana’s charge, and then 
returned just in season to see his royal master a 


A Prisoner. 


21 I 


prisoner. He waited until he had seen Rollo con- 
veyed on board the ship, and the ship under sail, 
after which he went back to Diana. 

Clotilda did not return to consciousness until 
after noon, and it was almost night before she could 
sit up and converse with her companions. 

At midnight the messengers whom Rollo had sent 
to Warvalla, returned ; and when Gudlief had 
told them what had transpired, he led them to the 
spot where the women rested. 

Alas !*' said the spokesman of the messengers, as 
he bowed his head beneath the weight of gloom, 
“ the news I bring, added to the news I hear, is dark 
indeed. Mode, the hunchback, the son of Orm, is 
husband to Isis, and sits upon the throne of Nor- 
mandy ; and he it is who hath sent for our master !*' 

“ Moric ?” cried Diana, trembling convulsively. 

“ Aye,** returned the messenger. By the arts of 
the priest he hath ascended to the throne, and his 
rule is one of blood and terror.** 

‘‘Merciful heavens !** exclaimed Clotilda, clasping 
her hands wildly above her head, “ then Rollo is 
lost ! O, my soul ! my life ! my love ! Where is 
he? Where is he ?** 

The maiden sank down again unconscious ; and 
Diana, as she bent to the assistance of the sufferer, 
murmured to herself : 

“ The priest hath done enough. He may kill me 
if he will ; but his secret shall be mine no longer !** 


CHAPTER XVIII. 


DOOMED ! 

It was well into the night when Thorquin reached 
Warvalla, and as he had had express orders to make 
immediate report to the king upon his arrival, he 
hastened at once to the castle for that purpose. 
Moric was in bed ; but he arose when he heard the 
news, and commanded that the prisoner should be 
brought before him. The captain returned to his 
ship, but before he did so he despatched a messenger 
to the temple, as he had promised the priest that he 
should have due information of the result of his 
mission. 

It was very dark when Rollo was led up from the 
shore, and no friend was near to recognize him. 
He was conducted to the royal audience chamber, 
where Moric had already taken his seat, surrounded 
by a dozen of his creatures. The large vaulted 
apartment was lighted by torches, which flamed and 
flared with an uncertain glare, sending ghostly 
shadows dancing away upon the pavement, and 
drawing fantastic figures upon the gray walls. The 
hunchback started up when the prisoner was 


Doomed. 


213 


brought in, and hurriedly advanced to the centre 
of the room ; and then, as though remembering that 
such conduct was beneath the dignity of royalty, he 
returned to his seat, and allowed the guard to ap- 
proach. 

Rollo wore heavy chains upon his arms, and his 
head was bare and bent. He had looked up when 
he first entered the chamber ; but the whole scene 
seemed so like a horrible dream that he tried to shut 
it out. 

Sire,*' spoke Thorquin, this is the prisoner.** 

‘‘ Hold up his head so that I can see,** commanded 
Moric. 

Rollo raised his head, and looked upon the mis- 
shapen usurper. 

Aye — it is the very man,** cried the hunchback, 
clapping his hands. It is Rollo of Normandy ! 
My soul, this is grand ! Tell me, prisoner — don*t 
you feel curious to be down there, with iron chains 
on your hands, and see me up there, with this crown 
on my head, eh ?’* 

The son of Thorstein trembled from head to foot. 

“Don*t be afraid, but answer me. Ye gods, how 
he trembles.** 

‘‘Aye,** exclaimed the prisoner, suddenly drawing 
himself up to a proud, firm bearing ; “ Rollo trem- 
bles, but not with fear. He trembles beneath an 
overwhelming weight of wonder.** 

“ And what does he wonder at !*’ asked Moric, 
bending forward. 

“ He wonders to see such a sight as this — to see 
the throne of Normandy filled by — ’* 


214 


Rollo of Normandy , 


Ha ! beware, prisoner. If you push me, I may 
strike you with my own hands, as a certain other king 
struck down brave Lamac once upon a time ; and 
that would be beneath my royal dignity. But I 
don’t care what you wonder at. I am king of Nor- 
mandy, and you my prisoner ; and I am going to 
judge you for your wickedness. We are not safe 
while you live. If we harbor you here, the gods 
will come down in vengeance upon us. You must 
die, and the sooner the job is done the better.” 

“Who condemns me?” asked Rollo. 

“ Everybody condemns you,” replied Moric, 
quickly. “ The gods condemned you first ; and 
then the people condemned you ; and now I con- 
demn you. Where is Hubert ?” 

“ Here he is,” answered a huge serf, stepping out 
from behind the throne. 

“ Good Hubert, cut off Rollo’s head !” 

“ How, sire ?” 

“ Cut it off. The King of Normandy commands 
it !” 

Even Thorquin was startled by the prospect of 
such a summary proceeding, and he was upon the 
point of interposing, when Thangbrand entered the 
apartment. 

“Aha, seer-father,” cried the hunchback, when he 
saw the priest, “ you have come just in time to see 
a grand thing. In a minute more you would have 
found the prisoner without a head.” 

“ Be not too eager, sire,” said Thangbrand, 
advancing to the side of the throne. “It is well 
known that the man who placed all Normandy 


Doomed, 


215 


in jeopardy deserves death ; but he also merits 
a trial. The punishment of so heinous a crime 
should be more public.” 

‘‘No, no,” exclaimed Moric, impetuously ; “don’t 
let him live any longer. I must have my sleep ; 
and I shall find my bed a hard one while the son of 
Thorstein is alive in my capital.” 

The priest saw at a glance the position of affairs ; 
and having commanded all others to stand back, he 
spoke with the king aside. 

“No, no, Moric,” he said, with one hand upon the 
hunchback’s arm, “ you must not be too rash.” 

“ But,” returned Moric, “ why should we let him 
live ? I am not safe while he is breathing. I know 
he has friends in Warvalla, and if he can once gain 
their ears, there is no knowing what the result may 
be.” 

“ He shall not gain their ears,” asserted Thang- 
brand ; “ but do you not see, if you kill him now, in 
this place, and at this unseemly hour, his friends 
will have much to work upon. No, no, my son ; 
let him be cast into prison till the morrow, and 
then his execution shall be public.” 

“ But suppose he should escape ?” 

“ His escape is impossible.” 

“ But the people may object to having him 
killed.” 

“ They dare not. Leave that with me, Moric. 
Let him live until to-morrow, and then we will have 
him tried for treason. You should understand 
this.” 

“Well,” said the hunchback, reluctantly, “ I sup- 


2 l6 


Rollo of Normandy. 


pose you are right ; but remember, he must die 
to-morrow. I am afraid of him. Ye gods ! how he 
looks at me. If he had his arms free, I believe he 
would kill both of us.” 

‘‘You have nothing to fear from him, my son. 
Let him be sent to a strong dungeon, and on the 
morrow I will be with you.” 

As the priest moved back, Moric beckoned his 
attendants forward. 

“ Thorquin,” he said, addressing the captain, “I 
have been conversing with the seer-father, and he 
advises that the execution should be more public ; 
so you may carry your prisoner away, and lock him 
up in a dungeon. Put him into the strongest one, 
and I will send my guard with you.” 

As the captain turned away with Rollo in charge, 
Moric called Hubert to his side, and ordered him to 
take three men, and go down and keep watch over 
the prisoner, at the same time instructing them that 
they were to kill him instantly, if he made any 
attempt to escape. After this, he retired with the 
priest, and consulted upon what should be done ov 
the morrow. 

Rollo was cast into a deep, dark dungeon, where 
the slime and filth were thick upon the walls, and 
where the fresh air never circulated ; and when the 
heavy door had been closed upon him, and he was left 
alone, he sat down and reflected upon his situation. 
That he was doomed to death he could not doubt, 
and that the priest was eager to have him slain, was 
equally certain ; but why the hunchback son of 
Orm was upon the throne, was beyond his power of 


Doomed. 


2 1 7 


imagination. However, it was no darker in its char- 
acter than were other results of Thangbrand’s 
machinations ; and he was forced to the conclusion, 
that, after all, the priest was the real king of Nor- 
mandy. 

And yet, dark as was the prospect before him, the 
youthful monarch did not wholly despair. It seemed 
to him impossible that the people of Warvalla could 
tamely submit to see him put to death by order of 
the son of Orm. Something would surely interpose. 
And with a hope like this struggling for place in his 
mind, he closed his eyes in an uneasy slumber. 

With the first dawn of morning, the new^s spread 
through Warvalla that Rollo had been captured ; 
and ere long it was known that he was to be tried 
for the double crime of treason to the gods, and 
treason to his country. At an early hour the people 
began to flock towards the castle gates, where they 
were admitted or rejected, by guards whom Thor- 
quin had posted. 

At nine o’clock, the royal prisoner was led into the 
great hall, where a thousand men had aforetime been 
seated at the banquet, and where now were assem- 
bled nearly all the chief officers and warriors of the 
capital. The hunchback was upon the throne, with 
the sceptre in his hand, and by his side stood the 
priest. Thorquin commanded the guard, while the 
room in front had been carefully given to those who 
were known to be most loud in their denunciations 
of Rollo. 

As the prisoner was led through the crowding 
throng, he looked in vain for some expression of 


Rollo of Normandy. 


218 


kindness and pity. Those glances which he met 
were cold and stern, and seemed hardened against 
him. And the words which he heard — words break- 
ing forth in low murmurs — were dark and threaten- 
ing. His heart sank within him as he advanced, for 
the friends upon whom he had counted were not 
present. When he reached the open space in front 
of the throne, he looked for Thorwald, but the old 
lieutenant was not to be seen. Thorquin occupied 
the place, and he soon learned that Thorwald was 
stationed without, guarding the court. When he 
looked up into the ugly face of the hunchback, and 
thought of the spirit which could submit to the rule 
of such a thing, he felt that he had little ground of 
hope. And, furthermore, when he regarded the 
priest, and remembered the mystic power which he 
could wield, the last glimmer seemed to fade away. 

Rollo of Normandy stood before the throne, a 
prisoner, and in chains ; and the crowd waited 
eagerly to hear his doom. 

Thangbrand spoke : 

“ People of Normandy, behold the man who would 
have betrayed you. He is charged with treason. 
He hath been a traitor to the gods, and a traitor to 
his country. I will enumerate his transgressions. 
First : He did refuse to obey the Oracle of Odin, 
thereby bringing wrath upon our heads, and threats 
of dire calamity. Second : He did disobey the com- 
mand of his royal father, thereby showing himself 
unfit to succeed the noble Thorstein. Third : He 
did avow a disbelief in the authority of the gods of 
our people. Fourth : He did follow an infidel 


Doomed, 


2ig 


woman, with base passion, even after heaven had 
directed him otherwise. Fifth : He did smite down 
unto death one of the bravest and most faithful cap- 
tains of Normandy. Sixth and last : He did leave 
his throne, and forsake his people, to follow the 
guilty woman upon whom his insane passion was 
fixed. Warriors of Normandy, what shall be done 
with him ?’' 

“ Death !’* pronounced Thorquin, the mention of 
whose brother had stirred the fire of vengeance anew 
within him. 

Death !” repeated five hundred voices. 

“ False priest !'* cried Rollo, clanking his heavy 
chains in his indignation, ‘‘ you speak the most base 
falsehood !” 

Ha exclaimed the hunchback monarch, start- 
ing to his feet and clapping his hands, “ do you dare 
to insult the priest of Odin in the presence of Odin’s 
sons ! Where is Hubert ? By the gods. I’ll have 
your head off quickly !’* 

Patience,'’ said Thangbrand, resting his hand 
upon Moric’s arm. ‘‘ The insults of the condemned 
wretch fall harmless upon the apostle of heaven. I 
have saved Normandy by my intercessions, and I 
shall not now bow before such simple words. Sire, 
I give the culprit into your hands, but ere you strike, 
let the voice of the people be heard.” 

Rollo started from those who held him, and turned 
towards the multitude. 

‘‘ Men of Normandy !” he cried, raising his man- 
acled hands aloft, “ will you see your king condemned 
and executed without listening to him ?” 


2 20 


Rollo of Normandy. 


‘‘Silence !*' commanded Moric, leaping up again. 

“No, no/* urged the priest, loud enough to be 
heard by those who stood^around. “ Let him speak 
if he will.** 

“ Let him speak,** said Thorquil. 

“ Men and warriors of Normandy,** continued 
Rollo, “ you who have followed me to battle and to 
victory, will you submit to the power which would 
destroy the son of Thorstein, and raise the son of 
Orm in my place ?** 

“ Let me be heard,** said Thangbrand, ere the 
speech of the prisoner could produce much effect. 
And then turning to Rollo, he continued : “ Those 

very points which you would raise in your own favor 
all count heavily against you. You have led our 
army to victory, and you have been beloved and 
respected and obeyed, and hence your treason is 
deepened a thousand fold. I tell thee, Rollo of 
Normandy, the gods are incensed, and thou hast 
brought down their wrath upon our once happy 
land. It is the sentence of great Odin, spoken in 
plainest language, that your blood alone can wash 
away the record of direful doom against us !’* 

“ Let him die !’* cried Thorquin. 

“ Aye — let him die !** was the echo that sounded 
through the hall. 

“ In heaven’s name,** — plead Rollo, startling the 
multitude by a fierce clang of his chains, “let me 
speak one word more. Some of you have hearts 
and can feel yet something of the old friendship.** 

“ Hold !’* shouted Moric, starting down from his 
throne. “ We will hear no more !’* 


Doomed. 


221 


Back, thou misshapen usurper ! exclaimed the 
prisoner, turning upon the hunchback with a look 
that made him quail. I am speaking to Norman 
warriors, and if you dare to place a hand upon me, 
or raise a weapon against me. I’ll smite thee with 
these chains ! By the gods, I am mad now, and 
thou hast best beware !” 

‘‘ Seize him ! Hold him ! Off with his head !” 
gasped Moric, shrinking back to the throne. 

‘‘ One word !” prayed Rollo, facing the multitude 
again. If I could speak to you as I would, if I 
could tell to you the whole story of the wrongs which 
have been done to the daughter of brave old 
Kodran— ” 

‘‘ Ha !” interrupted the priest, clapping his hands, 
he would still smite us with his wickedness. He 
would find excuse for the evil spirit that, under the 
guise of maidenly beauty, hath bewitched him. 
Sons of Odin, I will make to you a revelation. The 
daughter of Kodran is an infidel ! She is an enemy 
of the gods of our people ! She is a follower of 
strange gods, and of strange prophets. She would 
elevate the man called Jesus Christ, a Jew, and a 
child of a far distant land, above our own Odin. 
Such is Clotilda, whom Rollo would excuse to you. 
Let him deny it if he can.” 

“He cannot deny it,” said Thorquin, “ for I know 
that it is true.” 

“ To the death ! To the death !” cried the multi- 
tude. 

“ Where is Hubert ?” 

“ Here, sire.” 


22 2 Rollo of Normandy. 


“ Your sword is sharp ?’* 

“Yes/’ 

“ Then be ready to strike. The sentence is passed, 
and the doom of the traitor is sealed. Quick — bend 
him to the pavement, and await my signal !” 

As the serfs moved forward to obey the order of 
the hunchback tyrant, some of those in that chamber 
bowed their heads with shuddering alarm and pity, 
but more were eager to see the judgment executed. 
Blind and ignorant, and infatuated by *the spell of 
the dark-browed far-seer, they thought full sure that 
they were following in the lead of heaven’s own will I 




CHAPTER XIX. 

CONCLUSION. 

As the people were waiting for the signal which 
Moric was to give to the executioner, the old lieu- 
tenant entered the chamber, and strode up to the 
area in front of the throne. 

“ Ha ! How now, Thorwald V* demanded the 
hunchback. “Why are you here 

“ Sire,** answered the officer, “ there is without a 
witness who would testify in this case ere the royal 
prisoner is condemned.** 

“ You are too late. The prisoner is already con- 
demned, and no more testimony is needed.** 

“ But, sire, this is of importance.** 

“ Silence, sir lieutenant, and back to your post of 
duty. How dare you come hither without orders .?’* 
Thorwald was tremblingwith strange excitement, 
and for a moment he seemed undecided ; but pres- 
ently he started up and faced the multitude. His 
eye burned with a piercing fire, and upon his brow 
towered that front of stern resolve which had so 
often led victorious course through the ranks of the 
enemy*s hosts. 

“ Warriors of Normandy,** he said, “ if the thing 


224 


Rollo of Normandy, 


is demanded, I am prepared to lay down my life in 
the cause of the oppressed. If Rollo is guilty, let ^ 
him suffer, but if he is innocent, let us cherish him 
for the noble virtues which we know he possesses.” 

Down with him !” exclaimed Moric, waving his 
hand towards the serfs. Silence that man’s tongue ! 
Cutoff his head !” 

Thorwald was not to be thus put down. He drew 
his sword and turned upon the tyrant’s minions, and 
when they met his gaze they quailed before it. In 
another instant the lieutenant made sure of speech 
to the people, for he saw that the priest was moving, 
and that no time was to be lost. 

Brothers,” he continued, speaking rapidly but 
distinctly, there is a witness without who has told to 
me a story so strange that my very soul is racked with 
suspense. If you can hear the story as I have heard 
it, you will find your hearts quaking with wonder. 

I place my life in your hands, and if, when you have 
heard the story, you be not satisfied, let my head fall 
by the side of brave Rollo’s !” 

Thangbrand demanded that the lieutenant should 
be taken out from the hall, but his demand was not 
answered. As we have before intimated, there were 
many present whose sympathies were with the 
prisoner, and when they found themselves with a 
leader, they did not hesitate to speak. 

‘‘ Let the witness come in !” cried several voices. 

‘‘Let us hear the wonderful story !” added others. 

“ Aye, aye,” was the general response ; and in this 
latter call nearly every voice in the apartment joined ; 
for even those who had not yet felt sympathy for the 


Conclusion. 


225 


condemned were moved by a spirit of curiosity that 
was not to be quenched. 

“ Who is this witness ?’* asked the priest. 

‘‘ The name I cannot give/' was Thorwald's prompt 
answer. “ The witness, once seen, will be known by 
every man of Warvalla. You have the pledge of my 
head for my sincerity. Shall the story be told to the 
people of Normandy ?” 

‘‘Yes ! yes !” cried a thousand voices, for nearly 
every lip uttered the word. 

At this juncture Moric leaped down from his 
throne, and would have smote the prisoner with his 
own sword, had not Thorwald interposed. 

“ You must take my life before you touch the son 
of Thorstein !” the lieutenant said. 

At /his juncture Thorquin was moved by some- 
thing of that old fire which had warmed his heart 
while following Thorstein to victory. When he saw 
his old companion in arms thus nobly set his own 
life down for the safety of the royal Rollo, and boldly 
face the hunchback tyrant, he could restrain himself 
no more. He forgot his cause of enmity, and rose 
to the higher spirit of a Norman captain. 

“Hold !’’ he commanded, drawing his heavy sword 
as he spoke, and striding up into the area. “We 
have heard enough of this. I am with our noble 
Thorwald ; and the witness shall come in !“ 

This speech had the effect of uniting the warriors ; 
and when the hunchback saw it he shrank back to 
his chair. The priest trembled violently, but spoke 
not. He stood by the foot of the throne, with one 


226 


Rolio of Mormandy, 


hand in his bosom, seeming to await the result of 
his discussion. 

Thorwald went out from the hall ; and when he 
returned he led by the hand a woman, whose head 
was covered by a dark mantle. He conducted her 
up to the area, and when she uncovered her face, the 
people recognized Diana, the mother of Isis. 

May the gods defend us!” exclaimed Thang- 
brand. ‘‘This woman is condemned of heaven! 
She is an infidel, and the curse of Odin is upon her !” 
As he spoke he leaped towards her, with a dagger in 
his hand ; but his fell purpose was not carried into 
execution. 

Rollo, from the first, had had a presentiment that 
Diana was the witness to whom Thorwald had 
alluded. He had heard her speak words which 
assured him that she held some strange secret locked 
up in her bosom ; and he knew, furthermore, that 
the priest was her deadly enemy. He also knew 
that his messengers had had time to return to the 
place where they had left him, and to bring Diana 
back to Warvalla with them. With these convic- 
tions he had narrowly watched every shade of 
Thangbrand’s countenance ; and when he saw the 
far-seer’s first movement, he comprehended its mean- 
ing, and resolved to thwart it. With a motion so 
quick that none could have prevented it if they 
would, he swung his heavy chains over his shoulder, 
and brought the iron links down with such force and 
precision upon the priest’s head, that the would-be 
murderer sank senseless to the pavement. 

“ Back ! back !” the traduced monarch shouted, in 


Conclusion, 


227 


tones that startled the warriors with the fire of the 
battlefield, and held them as by the command of a 
master. ‘‘ Let Diana speak, and then, if you will, let 
me suffer. Upon my head alone be the result of this 
meeting between Thangbrand and myself.'* 

The hunchback was upon his feet, with his sword 
drawn; but for him, as an individual, little respect 
was felt ; and he was restrained without ceremony. 

Matters being thus arranged, Diana was led to 
the raised dais, and when she had gained sufficient 
control of herself, she turned to the eager multitude 
and spoke : 

“Men of Normandy, do you remember Gizur, who 
was priest of Odin before Thangbrand became 
priest ?" 

“ Yes, yes," replied a hundred voices. 

“ Do you remember how kind and how gentle he 
was ; and how he visited the poor and needy, and 
nursed the sick and suffering ?" 

Aye — the people remembered it very well; and 
they breathed the response in a reverent tone, for the 
memory of the good Gizur was held as a sacred 
thing in their bosoms. 

“ And do you remember that Gizur befriended 
Thangbrand, and found him a home when he was in 
trouble ?" 

Yes — they remembered it. 

“ Men of Normandy, Thangbrand murdered the 
noble Gizur — murdered him in cold blood — that he 
• might be priest of Odin !" 

Merciful heaven ! It could not be. 

“ He murdered Gizur with poison. He told me 


228 


Rollo of Normandy. 


what he had done — he told me because he loved me 
then. He murdered Gizur that he might be priest ; 
and since he has worn the mystic robe, he has done 
more wickedness than human tongue can tell. Men 
of Normandy, Thangbrand is the father of Isis !'* 

The whole vast multitude was convulsed by this 
announcement, for therewith came the solution of 
the mystery. 

Thangbrand is the father of Isis,** continued 
Diana, speaking loudly and rapidly ; “and so much 
is she like him that he loves her. For a long time 
he had cherished the plan of raising her to the 
throne, as he had an almost insane desire to be the 
progenitor of Norman kings. He told me his plans, 
never dreaming that I would turn against him. He 
supposed that I feared him, and that my pride would 
keep me silent ; and he also fancied that I should be 
proud to see my daughter the wife of a king. With 
this plan he set at work, and the result you have 
seen. 

“ Would you know why I betrayed him ?’* pursued 
the woman, with a flushed cheek and quivering lip. 
“ He knew, some days ago, that I meant to betray 
him, if such betrayal were necessary to save an inno- 
cent king and a beautiful maiden. He knew that I 
had begun to loathe him, and he feared that his 
plans would come to naught. So he led me away 
into the dark wood, where he stabbed me with a 
knife, and threw me into the river ! And now, sons 
of Odin, see how heaven preserved me to smite this 
villain: 

“The daughter of Hildegunna was being borne 


Conclusio7i. 


229 


away by two serfs, Thangbrand having sent Lamac 
to employ them for that purpose. One of those serfs 
chanced to be my friend, and he found me upon the 
shore, and picked me up, and Clotilda nursed me. 
Where they carried Clotilda they carried me. Clo- 
tilda was my nurse ; and, in return, I was able to 
raise up a friend to save her from the human brute into 
whose power she had been consigned. In a little 
while heaven guided Rollo to the place where we 
were. A few hours later, and Thorquin came and 
took Rollo prisoner. We saw it from our hiding- 
place in the wood, but we dared not show ourselves. 
A few hours later still, and some messengers, who 
had been sent to Warvalla, returned, bringing us 
intelligence of what had transpired under the hands 
of the priest. I heard that the hand of my daughter 
had been given to Moric, the son of Orm, and that 
Moric had been seated upon the throne ; and then I 
knew that Thangbrand was, in truth. King of Nor- 
mandy ; and I furthermore knew that Rollo would 
be slain if the truth could not be known in Warvalla. 
And who could tell that truth ? None save myself. 
So I hurried to the work ; and here I am. 

“Do you ask me still, why I betrayed Thang- 
brand ? Go to the temple, go into that inner cavern, 
beyond the brazen door, where he would have you 
believe the gods do sometimes congregate — and see 
what you shall find. Go, Thorwald, and you, Thor- 
quin, bear him company. Take as many men with 
you as you please, and search the place. The key to 
the brazen door is in the priest's bosom. Take it, 


230 


Rollo of Normandy , 


and go, and fear not. Make the search, and bring 
back word of what you find.** 

Thorwald approached the prostrate form of the 
priest, and drew from a pouch within his vestment, 
a silver key ; and then, accompanied by Thorquin, 
and a few others whom they selected, they left the 
hall. 

As soon as they were gone some of the officers, led 
by old Veturlid, the physician, gathered around the 
priest, wondering if he might not be feigning uncon- 
sciousness, but it was not so. The blow he had 
received had given the brain a terrible shock, and 
Veturlid decided that the bone of the skull had been 
cracked. However, they made no effort to resusci- 
tate the far-seer then ; but gathered around Rollo, 
and around Diana, and entered into such conversa- 
tion as the circumstances suggested. 

At length those who had been sent out to the 
temple returned, and the eager people listened to 
hear the report. Trembling with excitement, Thor- 
wald ascended the dais. 

Brothers,** he said, “ my tongue almost refuses 
me utterance. I have been within the inner chamber 
of the temple, where we have believed that only 
sacred feet could tread, and Thorquin went with 
me ; and others went, too. We found there wealth 
in profusion. We found apartments beyond royalty 
in magnificence ; and we found a score of women 
there, whom Thangbrand had, from time to time, 
brought from distant places. They were shameless, 
infidel females, not fit to live ! O, men of Normandy, 
how have we been deceived ! The priest whom we 


Co7ichtsion. 


231 


have trusted, hath proved a monster beyond the 
power of tongue to tell ! And our noble king, the 
royal son of Thorstein, — how hath he been traduced ! 
Brothers, what shall be done with the vile miscreant ? 
And what shall we do for our beloved monarch ?'* 

Again were the warriors of Normandy moved by 
a wild, ungovernable passion ; but this time there 
could be no doubt as to the result, for there were no 
dissenting voices. When the judgment had been 
spoken there were no heads dubiously shaken. 
Thangbrand was finally brought to his senses ; but 
he cheated the people of their vengeance. Veturlid 
told him what had been discovered ; and a short 
time thereafter, while the curses of an infuriate 
people were sounding in his ears, he was seized with 
a fit of madness, caused by the fracture of the skull, 
in which he died. 

Moric, when he saw the son of Thorstein at liberty, 
and beheld the people doing him homage, sank down 
upon his knees, and begged for mercy. The king 
would have granted him entire pardon, but there 
were others who could not forgive him for the bloody 
deeds he had done, though they gave him his life on 
condition that he would le^ve Normandy and never 
•return. 

The morning of a glorious day dawned upon War- 
valla. Rollo, now honored and beloved, and 
cherished the more for the sufferings he had endured, 
drew the beautiful Clotilda to his side, and presented 
her to his subjects ; and they, remembering the 
many services which her noble father had rendered 


232 


Rollo of Normandy. 


to his country, hailed her with glad enthusiasm and 
swore that they would have no other queen. 

And the first act performed after the marriage of 
the royal pair, was by Thorquin. The stout captain 
advanced and knelt at the feet of the youthful king 
saying : 

“Sire, pardon me if, under a supposed provoca- 
tion, I did once bear upon thee with enmity. Hence- 
forth I am thy most faithful and loyal subject.” 

Rollo moved quickly forward and raised the cap- 
tain up. 

“ Good Thorquin, let the past be forgotten, save 
in its lessons of wisdom ; and in the future let us 
strive to be worthy of each other. Trust me, and I 
will never betray you.” 

And from that time the son of Thorstein had no 
enemies among the warriors of Normandy. 

Diana went back to her cot, and Isis went and 
lived with her. The king blessed them with a 
liberal hand, and they were not unhappy. Isis had 
no more ambition for royalty. Her short sojourn 
upon the throne, with the hunchback for a compan- 
ion, had given her enough of that. 

The faithful Gudlief was freed and became one of 
the royal guard. 

And what of the temple and its priest ? 

Ah ! the morning of a glorious day had dawned 
indeed. The full light did not come in an hour, nor 
did it come without passing clouds ; but it came 
none the less surely for that. Thangbrand was the 
last priest of Odin who ruled in the temple of War- 
valla. The people had lost their faith in the mystic 


Coiichision, 


233 


whispers of the far-seer, and Rollo gradually led 
them out from their superstitions — out from the 
darkness of ages — out and up, into the worship of 
the one living and true God. 


END. 





COUSIN PONS 


TRANSLATED FROM THE FRENCH OF 

HONORE DE BALZAC. 


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